Government

Tonga is governed under the constitution of 1875 as revised. The monarch is the head of state, and the government is headed by the prime minister, who is appointed by the monarch. The unicameral Legislative Assembly has 32 seats, with 14 reserved for cabinet ministers, nine for nobles, and nine for representatives elected by popular vote; all serve three-year terms. Tonga is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Administratively, the country is divided into the three island groups.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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