Tuvalu

Politics:

• Background

  Pacific Islands: Tuvalu - Political background

  Tuvalu became independent from the UK in 1978. The first prime minister was Toaripi Lauti, who had been chief minister before independence. He was succeeded after the election in 1981 by Dr Tomasi Puapua, who was re-elected in 1985. Bikenibeu Paeniu took over as prime minister, following the 1989 election, but after the 1993 poll he and Dr Puapua tied in the new parliament's ballot for prime minister, with six votes each. A second vote produced the same result and another general election was called. In the subsequent ballot for prime minister, Kamuta Latasi, previously the speaker of parliament, defeated Mr Paeniu by seven votes to five and Dr Puapua was elected speaker.

  In 1996 Mr Latasi lost his majority and resigned after a motion of no confidence was passed by the parliament. Mr Paeniu was re-elected prime minister in December of that year and he retained the premiership in a March 1998 general election. However, he was forced to resign in April 1999 after another parliamentary vote of no confidence. He was replaced by a former education minister, Ionatana Ionatana, who died unexpectedly in December 2000. Faimalaga Luka was elected prime minister in February 2001, but was also brought down by a no-confidence motion in December that year, which saw Koloa Talake take over.

  After a general election in July 2002 the parliament elected Saufatu Sopoanga as prime minister by a majority that seemed to promise greater stability. However, Mr Sopoanga was forced to resign from parliament in August 2004, when he lost a surprise no-confidence motion by two votes after a member of the government defected to the opposition, and because another was in New Zealand for medical treatment. A period of instability followed, owing to the wavering loyalties of one and sometimes two members of parliament (MPs). Mr Sopoanga was returned to parliament in a subsequent by-election, but it was agreed that his deputy, Maatia Toafa, should take over as prime minister, which he did on October 1st 2004.

  The general election held on August 3rd 2006 overhauled the composition of the legislature, with eight members elected to the 15-member parliament for the first time. Maatia Toafa was the only member of the outgoing government to retain his parliamentary seat, although Apisai Ielemia replaced him as prime minister later that month. Taavau Teii was appointed deputy prime minister and minister for natural resources, and Mr Ielemia assumed responsibility for foreign affairs.

  The country is a constitutional monarchy

  Tuvalu, formerly the Ellice (or Lagoon) Islands of Britain's former Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony (the Gilbert Islands are now Kiribati), is a constitutional monarchy with the British sovereign as head of state, represented by a governor-general, who must be a Tuvaluan. Its parliamentary system is based on the Westminster model, with free elections and a cabinet directly responsible to the parliament. The parliament consists of a single chamber with 15 members elected for four-year terms. The parliament elects the prime minister, who selects four other members of parliament to form the cabinet. There are no political parties. Each island has an elected council.

   

  August 27, 2007

Economy:

• Background

  Tuvalu: Resources and infrastructure

  FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

  Rising seas could swamp the islands

  The population was estimated at 9,800 in July 2007 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Tuvalu consists of nine coral atolls that are densely populated. Tuvalu's soil is poor; fish are the only natural resource of significance. The scattered atolls are all less than 6 metres above sea level and are at great risk if global warming causes sea levels to rise. Tuvalu is above the cyclone belt and generally does not suffer serious cyclone damage.

  The isolation of Tuvalu and the distance between its atolls make all forms of transport difficult and costly. Air Pacific (a Fiji-based airline) operates a service between the Fijian capital, Suva, and Tuvalu's capital island, Funafuti. A feeder shipping service links Tuvalu every six weeks with the regionally owned network of the Pacific Forum Line. A service of about the same frequency is operated by the Karlander Line. Tuvalu itself has only one small freighter for inter-island services. There is a good telecommunications system and limited but adequate Internet access.

  November 24, 2009

Country Briefing

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

Land area

26 sq km

Population

9,800 (July 2007 Asian Development Bank estimate)

Major islands

Funafuti, Vaitupu, Niutao and Nanumea. The majority of the population lives on Funafuti

Capital

Funafuti

Climate

Tropical

Weather

The temperature varies from 22°C to 38°C. The season of rain and westerly gales is between November and February. Rainfall varies considerably, falling more than one-half the days of the year. In a typical year the annual rainfall is around 3,000 mm in the south

Languages

English, Tuvaluan (official languages) and a Gilbertese dialect spoken on Nui

Measures

Metric

Currency

The Australian currency (A$) is legal tender, but Tuvaluan coins are also in circulation. Average exchange rate in 2008: A$1.19:US$1. Exchange rate on November 12th 2009: A$1.07:US$1

Time

12 hours ahead of GMT

November 24, 2009