Tongans will be eagerly watching the formation of the new government's cabinet to see what influence King Tupou VI might have.
Tonga's new prime minister 'Aisake Eke Photo: UN/YoutubeChannel
Tongan MPs selected a new leader, "Aisake Eke, on Christmas Eve, after the resignation of Hu'akavameliku Siaosi Sovaleni.
His resignation came as the opposition, led by Eke, prepared for a motion of no confidence.
No reasons have been given to justify that planned vote.
Eke is due to have finalised his cabinet by Thursday this week after visiting the King at his Auckland residence last week.
Our correspondent in Tonga, Kalafi Moala, said the King's influence is expected after a lengthy stand-off last year appeared to undermine the Sovaleni administration.
The Palace Office had let Sovaleni know that the King wished to choose the country's foreign and defence minister - the standard practice enjoyed by other monarchs, but something that has not been defined since Tonga choose a more democratic form of government 15 years ago.
"Most of us are waiting to see the composition of the cabinet, who is on, who is not. And definitely, it will give an indication on whether there has been involvement from the Palace itself in the selection," Moala said.
He said the King is due back at the weekend and the swearing in of ministers is likely next week.
What direction the new government might take is yet to be conveyed to the public but it has previously been pointed out that it have just a few brief months before the general elections are held later this year.
