ツバルからのレポートによると、10月11日の首相選挙でMaatia Toafa氏が首相に就任したということです。Maatia Toafa氏はツバル国内では最も北に位置するナヌメア島の出身。この島の出身者が首相になるのは今回が初めてだそうです。前首相のSaufatu Sopoanga氏のもとで副首相を務めていたという経歴の持ち主です。

Saufatu Sopoanga氏は、先月首相を辞任した後、出身島のヌクフェタウでの補欠選挙に勝ち、首相再任を要求する権利を得たものの、その権利を行使せずに、Maatia Toafa氏を支援する立場をとったようです。

新首相のMaatia Toafa氏が、海面上昇やそれに伴う海外移住問題などを、どのように解決していこうと考えているのか非常に興味深いところですが、追って取材後ご報告したいと思っています。

Tuvalu PM sworn in
Tuvalu Online — 13 Oct 2004: Reports from Radio tuvalu and Tuvalu.tv

The Rt. Hon. Maatia Toafa, Tuvalu’s 9th Prime Minister, and his government, which is the country’s 11th since independence in 1978, were sworn in on Monday, 10th October 2004.

Mr. Toafa, from Nanumea, received eight votes from the 15 members of parliament, and won over the oposition’s nominee, Elisala Piita of Nukufetau, who received seven votes. One of Toafa’s votes came from Sio Patiale. Patiale flew in from New Zealand, where he had been for the past few months for medical reasons. He headed back to New Zealand the same day, after the vote was held.

The new Prime Minister spoke to the citizens on Radio Tuvalu, expressing hope this will be a good change for the country, and also that political games will not, once again, occur that drastically affect the people and the country. He also expressed hope that the government would be allowed to finish its political term.

During the evening, a cocktail party that was hosted for the Prime Minister by the Secretary to Government, Mr Panapasi Nelesone. The party was attended by most members of parliament and their wifes. The popular band, Fagogo Malipolipo, entertained the evening.

文責：遠藤秀一