Tonga’s prime minister quits ahead of no-confidence vote

Siaosi Sovaleni speaks at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tonga in August (AP)

Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni abruptly resigned in parliament ahead of a planned no-confidence vote in his leadership, capping a period of fraught relations between his government and Tonga’s king.

Mr Sovaleni, who took office in 2021, did not specify a reason for his departure, but his resignation halted the no-confidence motion expected on Monday. It was not clear who would succeed him.