Feleti Teo, former attorney general of Tuvalu, was elected as the nation’s new prime minister Monday after 15 of the Pacific island nation’s parliamentary members nominated him for the top post.
Notably, this is the first time in the nation’s history that a prime minister has been elected without a vote.
The election took place on 26 January and the swearing-in ceremony for the new prime minister and his cabinet is scheduled for later in the week.
The election of Feleti Teo as the new prime minister of Tuvalu has raised questions about the country’s stance on Taiwan, as well as its broader international relationships, including a defence and migration deal with Australia signed last November.
Former prime minister Kausea Natano lost his seat in the election largely owing to his advocacy for Tuvalu to maintain official diplomatic ties with Taiwan.