Tuvalu
Country in the SW Pacific Ocean; formerly (until 1976) the Ellice
Islands; part of Polynesia.
Government
The constitution dates from 1978 when Tuvalu became an independent
state within the Commonwealth, accepting the British monarch as
head of state, represented by a resident governor general, who
must be a Tuvaluan citizen and is appointed on the recommendation
of the prime minister.
There is a single-chamber parliament of 12 members and a prime
minister and cabinet elected by and responsible to it. Members
of parliament are elected by universal suffrage for up to four
years. Parliament is subject to dissolution within its term. Each
of the inhabited atolls of the Tuvalu group has its own elected
island council, responsible for local affairs.
History
The islands were inhabited by Melanesians, and were invaded and occupied
by Samoans during the 16th century. They were first reached by
Europeans 1765. During the mid- 19th century European slave traders
captured indigenous Melanesians for forced labour on plantations
in South America. As a result of this, and the importation of
European diseases, the population declined from an estimated 20,000
to barely 3,000. Originally known as the Ellice Islands, the islands
were a British protectorate 1892-1915 and part of the Gilbert
and Ellice Islands colony 1915-75, when they became a separate
British colony.
In 1978 the Ellice Islands became fully independent within the
Commonwealth, reverting to their old name of Tuvalu, meaning `eight
standing togetherī (there are nine, but one is very small).
Because of its small size, Tuvalu is a `special memberī of the
Commonwealth and does not have direct representation at meetings
of heads of government. Its first prime minister was Toaripi Lauti,
replaced 1981 as a result of his alleged involvement in an investment
scandal, by Dr Tomasi Puapua, who was re- elected 1985. In 1986
in a poll to decide whether Tuvalu should remain a constitutional
monarchy or become a republic, only one atoll favoured republican
status. Puapua was replaced as prime minister by Bikenibeu Paeniu
Sept 1989, whose new administration pledged to reduce the country's
dependence on foreign aid; he in turn was replaced by Kamuta Laatasi
1993. In 1995 Tuvalu removed the Union Jack from its flag, presaging
a move towards republican status.
In Dec 1996 the government of Prime Minister Laatasi was defeated
on a no-confidence motion and the former prime minister, Bikenibeu
Paeniu, defeated Laatasi in a secret ballot to choose a new prime
minister. Ionatana Ionatana entered the new cabinet as deputy
prime minister.
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