[14] In 2008 Tuvaluans rejected a constitutional referendum that proposed replacing the queen of Tuvalu, with an elected president as the head of state.
During the governments of Bikenibeu Paeniu, Ionatana Ionatana,[8] and Faimalaga Luka, members of parliament who were not ministers were appointed to positions described variously as ‘Special Ministerial Advisers” and “Parliamentarians with Special Responsibilities” and, in one case, as Chairman of a Public Service Reform Committee.
The primary role of the Chief Ombudsman is to work to achieve good governance through the enforcement of the Leadership Code Act.
[21] Democratic values in Tuvalu are strong with free elections every 4 years by universal adult suffrage.
[22] There are no formal political parties so all candidates are non-partisan,[6] and election campaigns are largely on the basis of personal/family ties and reputation.
Te Kakeega II is the statement of the national strategy for the sustainable development of Tuvalu, with goals intended to be achieved in the period 2005 to 2015.
[25][26] After consultations on each islands the National Summit on Sustainable Development (NSSD), was held at the Tausoalima Falekaupule in Funafuti from 28 June to 9 July 2004.
[29] Symbolically, “Te Kete” has biblical significance for Tuvaluan Christian traditions by referencing to the basket or the cradle that saved the life of Moses.
Faimalaga Luka became the prime minister on 24 February 2001 until he was replaced by Koloa Talake after a vote of no confidence on 14 December 2001.
[35] Amasone Kilei, the leader of the opposition, wrote to the governor-general on 10 May 2003 advising that he commanded the support of a majority of the members of parliament and they were ready to form a government.
On 20 June 2003 Amasone Kilei commenced an action in the High Court of Tuvalu seeking order regarding the appointment of a speaker and the calling of parliament.
On 6 August 2003 the High Court declined to make the declaration that the prime minister must resign; however the Chief Justice delivered directions as to how the governor-general should proceed to take any action he considers to be appropriate under Section 116(1), acting in his own deliberate judgment, rather than as advised by the cabinet.
The winner of the October by-election, Elisala Pita, joined the government's benches, enabling it to survive a while longer.
[41] Two government members, Elisala Pita and Otinielu Tausi, crossed the floor to vote against Sopoanga.
These frequent motions of non-confidence and changes of prime minister have been described as having a number of possible explanations: a new generation of politicians who were less deferential to the prime minister as compared to the immediate post-independence parliaments; politicians who were more willing to engage in tactical voting; and competition for the portfolios that come with higher salaries compared to that of an ordinary MP.
[9][35] The larger than usual turnover of MPs at the 2002 and 2006 elections may have indicated a reaction by the electorate to the frequent changes of PM.
[32] Significant changes to the composition of the parliament include the former Prime Minister Kausea Natano not retaining his seat; the former Governor General Sir Iakoba Italeli Taeia was elected as an MP and also Feleti Teo, who was the former Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).
[47][46] No candidates contested the sitting MPs Seve Paeniu, who was the finance minister, and Namoliki Sualiki in the electorate of Nukulaelae, so they were automatically returned to parliament.
[53] On 19 September 2019, in a secret ballot, the members of parliament elected Kausea Natano from Funafuti as prime minister with a 10-6 majority, ending the six-year premiership of Enele Sopoaga.
Namoliki Sualiki, the caretaker minister for home affairs and rural development, was not opposed in the Nukulaelae electorate.
[73] Approximately one and a half weeks after the 2010 general election, a secret ballot was held on 29 September 2010 to determine the country's next prime minister.
[30][75] Minister of Works Isaia Italeli died suddenly in July 2011,[76][77] which led to a by-election in the Nui constituency in the following month.
[30] The by-election was described as "pivotal", as Italeli's death had deprived Prime Minister Willy Telavi of his government's one seat majority in parliament.
[84] Tuvalu's opposition then requested the governor-general Iakoba Italeli to intervene against the prime minister's decision.
[88] The governor-general then proceeded to exercise his reserve powers to order Mr Telavi's removal and the appointment of Enele Sopoaga as interim prime minister.
[89][90] The governor-general also ordered that parliament sit on Friday 2 August to allow a vote of no-confidence in Mr Telavi and his government.
[91] Telavi then proceeded to write to Queen Elizabeth II (as the head of state of Tuvalu) informing her that he was dismissing Mr Italeli from his position as governor-general.
[90][92][93] The Queen gave no indication of her reaction to Telavi's letter, leaving Italeli's position secure.
[99] In December 2013 a vacancy for the constituency of Nanumaga was declared by the governor-general in accordance with Section 99 (2) of the Tuvalu Constitution following an assessment of Falesa Pitoi's health.
[103] Tausi supported prime minister Enele Sopoaga, which gave the government a two-thirds majority of the members of parliament.