[2] The 2017 general election resulted in a landslide victory for the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (Tongan: Paati Temokalati ʻa e ʻOtu Motu ʻAngaʻofa, or PTOA),[3] and ʻAkilisi Pōhiva was re-elected as Prime Minister, defeating former Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni 14 votes to 12.

[8] In December 2020 Democratic party leader Semisi Sika submitted a motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Tuʻiʻonetoa.

[9] The motion was backed by Deputy Prime Minister Sione Vuna Fa'otusia,[10] who subsequently resigned from Cabinet.

[12] Following ʻAkilisi Pōhiva's death the PTOA fragmented, with rivalries emerging between Siaosi Pohiva and his brother-in-law Mateni Tapueluelu.

[13] In the leadup to the election this led to a formal split, with Pohiva leaving the party's board and "core team".

[17][18] The Legislative Assembly of Tonga has up to 30 members, of whom 17 are directly elected by first-past-the-post voting from single-member constituencies.

[29] While the PTOA won majorities in most constituencies, vote-splitting between the rival factions saw them lose seats to independent candidates.

[38] The Legislative Assembly met on 15 December to elect a Prime Minister, with both Sovaleni and Eke being nominated.

[55][56] Saulala, Tei and Moeaki were formally unseated by Parliament and their seats declared vacant on 10 August,[57] sparking the 2022 Tongatapu by-elections.