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{{short description|Governor-General of Tuvalu (2010-2019)}}
{{Short description|Tuvaluan politician}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[Excellency|His Excellency]] [[Sir]]
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Iakoba Italeli
| name = Sir Iakoba Italeli
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|GCMG}}
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|GCMG}}
| image = Iakoba Italeli May 2015.jpg
| image = Iakoba Italeli May 2015.jpg
| caption = Italeli in May 2015
| caption = Italeli in 2015
| order = 9th
| office1 = [[Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu]]
| office = Governor-General of Tuvalu
| monarch1 = [[Charles III]]
| monarch = [[Elizabeth II]]
| primeminister1 = [[Feleti Teo]]
⚫
| term_start1 = 27 February 2024
| primeminister = [[Apisai Ielemia]]<br />[[Maatia Toafa]]<br />[[Willy Telavi]]<br />[[Enele Sopoaga]]
| term_start = 16 April 2010
| predecessor1 = [[Samuelu Teo]]
| term_end = 22 August 2019
| successor1 =
| predecessor = [[Kamuta Latasi]]
| office2 = [[Governor-General of Tuvalu]]
| successor = [[Teniku Talesi Honolulu]] (acting)
| monarch2 = [[Elizabeth II]]
| primeminister2 = {{plainlist|
⚫
| office1 = Member of the [[Tuvaluan Parliament]]<br />for [[Nui (atoll)|Nui]]
* [[Apisai Ielemia]]
⚫
| term_start1 = 3 August 2006
* [[Maatia Toafa]]
| term_end1 = 16 September 2010
* [[Willy Telavi]]
| predecessor1 = [[Taom Tanukale]]
* [[Enele Sopoaga]]
| successor1 = [[Taom Tanukale]]
}}
⚫
| office2 = [[Law of Tuvalu|Attorney General of Tuvalu]]
| term_start2 = 2002
| term_start2 = 16 April 2010
| term_end2 = 2006
| term_end2 = 22 August 2019
| predecessor2 = [[Feleti Teo]]
| predecessor2 = [[Kamuta Latasi]]
| successor2 = [[Eselealofa Apinelu]]
| successor2 = [[Teniku Talesi]] (acting)
⚫
| office3 = Member of the [[Tuvaluan Parliament]]<br />for [[Nui (atoll)|Nui]]
⚫
| birth_name = Iakoba Taeia Italeli
| birth_date =
| term_start3 = 26 January 2024
| birth_place =
| predecessor3 = [[Puakena Boreham]]
| death_date =
| successor3 =
| death_place =
| term_start4 = 3 August 2006
| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| term_end4 = 16 September 2010
| spouse = Lady Koling Italeli Taeia
| predecessor4 = [[Taom Tanukale]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Malta]]
| successor4 = Taom Tanukale
⚫
| office5 = Attorney General of Tuvalu
| term_start5 = 2002
| term_end5 = 2006
| predecessor5 = [[Feleti Teo]]
| successor5 = [[Eselealofa Apinelu]]
⚫
| birth_name = Iakoba Taeia Italeli
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| spouse = Koling Italeli Taeia
| alma_mater = [[University of Malta]]
}}
}}


'''Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|GCMG}} is a Tuvaluan politician who was the [[governor-general of Tuvalu]] from 16 April 2010,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.commonwealthministers.com/heads_of_state/he_sir_iakoba_taeia_italeli_gcmg/|title=HE Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli, GCMG|access-date=7 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407081129/http://www.commonwealthministers.com/heads_of_state/he_sir_iakoba_taeia_italeli_gcmg/|archive-date=7 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=8784081714ca2c5d61bb2d51a8c723&PHPSESSID=f62304ea1cfe2ccfacd997ef0c83a4e0 "New Tuvaluan MPs get key cabinet portfolios"], Pacific Islands News Association, 29 September 2010</ref><ref>{{cite web| last = Hassall | first = Graham | work= Democracy and Elections project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific|title= The Tuvalu General Election 2006 |date = 2006|url= https://www.academia.edu/4352305/The_Tuvalu_General_Election_2006| access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> until 22 August 2019,<ref name="UN2020">{{cite web |url= https://protocol.un.org/dgacm/pls/site.nsf/files/HSPMFM/$FILE/Hspmfm.pdf|title= United Nations - Heads Of State |publisher= United Nations - Protocol and Liaison Service |date= 2020|access-date=10 January 2021}}</ref> when he resigned to contest in the [[2019 Tuvaluan general election|2019 general election]].<ref name="I2020-10">{{cite web |url= https://tuvaluparadise.tv/2020/10/09/ggs-appointment-nanumaga-continues-to-defy-governments-request/|title= GG’s Appointment: Nanumaga Continues To Defy Government’s Request|publisher= Kitiona Tausi, Tuvalu Paradise - Issue No. 44/2020|date= 9 October 2020|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref>
'''Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|GCMG}} is a Tuvaluan politician who was the [[governor-general of Tuvalu]] from 16 April 2010,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.commonwealthministers.com/heads_of_state/he_sir_iakoba_taeia_italeli_gcmg/|title=HE Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli, GCMG|access-date=7 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407081129/http://www.commonwealthministers.com/heads_of_state/he_sir_iakoba_taeia_italeli_gcmg/|archive-date=7 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=8784081714ca2c5d61bb2d51a8c723&PHPSESSID=f62304ea1cfe2ccfacd997ef0c83a4e0 "New Tuvaluan MPs get key cabinet portfolios"], Pacific Islands News Association, 29 September 2010</ref><ref>{{cite web| last = Hassall | first = Graham | work= Democracy and Elections project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific|title= The Tuvalu General Election 2006 |date = 2006|url= https://www.academia.edu/4352305/The_Tuvalu_General_Election_2006| access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> until 22 August 2019,<ref name="UN2020">{{cite web|url= https://protocol.un.org/dgacm/pls/site.nsf/files/HSPMFM/$FILE/Hspmfm.pdf|title= United Nations - Heads Of State|publisher= United Nations - Protocol and Liaison Service|date= 2020|access-date= 10 January 2021|archive-date= 14 September 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200914205358/https://protocol.un.org/dgacm/pls/site.nsf/files/HSPMFM/$FILE/Hspmfm.pdf|url-status= dead}}</ref> when he resigned to contest in the [[2019 Tuvaluan general election|2019 general election]].<ref name="I2020-10">{{cite web|url= https://tuvaluparadise.tv/2020/10/09/ggs-appointment-nanumaga-continues-to-defy-governments-request/|title= GG’s Appointment: Nanumaga Continues To Defy Government’s Request|publisher= Kitiona Tausi, Tuvalu Paradise - Issue No. 44/2020|date= 9 October 2020|access-date= 4 January 2021|archive-date= 8 January 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210108140323/https://tuvaluparadise.tv/2020/10/09/ggs-appointment-nanumaga-continues-to-defy-governments-request/|url-status= dead}}</ref> He was not successful in that election, however he was elected as a member of parliament in the [[2024 Tuvaluan general election]].<ref name="RNZ-24-1-27">{{cite news| url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/507716/tuvalu-general-election-six-newcomers-in-parliament | title=Tuvalu general election: Six newcomers in parliament |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date= 29 January 2024 |access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref><ref name="PDV-24-1-30">{{cite news |last1=Marinaccio|first1=Jess |title=Tuvalu’s 2024 general election: a new political landscape|url=https://devpolicy.org/2024-tuvalu-general-election-a-changing-political-landscape-20240130/ |access-date=30 January 2024 |work=PolicyDevBlog|date=30 January 2024}}</ref>


He is also a former [[Law of Tuvalu|attorney general of Tuvalu]] who served from 2002 to 2006. He was the [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]] of the [[University of the South Pacific]] from July 2014 to June 2015.<ref name="USP18">{{cite web |title= Chancellor |publisher= University of the South Pacific |date=August 2018 |url= https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?ido21473|access-date=17 January 2019}}</ref>
He is also a former [[Law of Tuvalu|attorney general of Tuvalu]] who served from 2002 to 2006. He was the [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]] of the [[University of the South Pacific]] from July 2014 to June 2015.<ref name="USP18">{{cite web |title= Chancellor |publisher= University of the South Pacific |date=August 2018 |url= https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?ido21473|access-date=17 January 2019}}</ref>

In 2022 Italeli ran as Tuvalu's candidate to be the next [[Commonwealth]] Secretary-General. The aim was to fill the potential vacancy created if incumbent [[Patricia Scotland]] were to be prematurely disendorsed by a majority of member states, and to institute a pro-climate action agenda for the entire Commonwealth.<ref name="TND">{{cite news |last1=Crellin |first1=Zac |title=Pacific minnow wants to head Commonwealth |url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2022/06/07/tuvalu-commonwealth-chogm-australia/ |access-date=17 July 2022 |work=[[The New Daily]] |date=7 June 2022}}</ref> At [[CHOGM 2022]] in Kigali, Rwanda, Italeli withdraw after an initial straw poll the votes were ultimately spit between Jamaican candidate [[Kamina Johnson Smith]] and Lady Scotland, who was victorious and stayed on as Secretary-General.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flanagan |first1=Jane |last2=Zeffman |first2=Henry |title=Baroness Scotland re-elected as Commonwealth chief in blow to Johnson |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/baroness-scotland-re-elected-as-commonwealth-chief-in-blow-to-johnson-m0s3s30xv |access-date=17 July 2022 |work=[[The Times]] |date=24 June 2022}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Prior to entering politics, Italeli served in the Tuvaluan police force for two decades.<ref name="TND"/> He worked his way up from constable to deputy commissioner.<ref>{{cite web |title=Profile |url=https://iakobaitaleli.gov.tv/index.php/profile/ |website=Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli |publisher=Government of Tuvalu |access-date=17 July 2022 |date=2022}}</ref>
⚫
Italeli is a graduate of International Maritime Law Institute at the University of Malta in 2001. He was appointed as acting Attorney General in 2002, a position kept until 2006. Italeli ran for public office for the first time in the [[2006 Tuvaluan general election|Tuvaluan general election]] in 2006. He won the election, and became the representative of the [[Nui (atoll)|Nui]] district in the [[Parliament of Tuvalu]], a position kept for 4 more years.<ref name="GH2006">{{cite web| last = Hassall | first = Graham | work= Democracy and Elections project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific|title= The Tuvalu General Election 2006 |date = 2006|url= https://www.academia.edu/4352305/The_Tuvalu_General_Election_2006| access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> He also served as the Minister of Education, Sports and Health, in the government of the [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu|Prime Minister]], [[Apisai Ielemia]].<ref name="GH2006"/> He remained as minister until 2010 when he was appointed as governor-general.


In 2001, Italeli graduated from the [[International Maritime Law Institute]] at the [[University of Malta]]. He was appointed as acting Attorney General in 2002, a position kept until 2006.
⚫
He was appointed to the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George as a Knight Grand Cross ([[GCMG]]) on 21 June 2010.

==First term in parliament==
⚫
Italeli ran for public office for the first time in the [[2006 Tuvaluan general election|Tuvaluan general election]] in 2006. He won the election, and became the representative of the [[Nui (atoll)|Nui]] district in the [[Parliament of Tuvalu]], a position kept for 4 more years.<ref name="GH2006">{{cite web| last = Hassall | first = Graham | work= Democracy and Elections project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific|title= The Tuvalu General Election 2006 |date = 2006|url= https://www.academia.edu/4352305/The_Tuvalu_General_Election_2006| access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> He also served as the Minister of Education, Sports and Health, in the government of the [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu|Prime Minister]], [[Apisai Ielemia]].<ref name="GH2006"/> He remained as minister until 2010 when he was appointed as governor-general.


==Constituency background==
Italeli was elected to represent [[Nui (atoll)|Nui]] in the [[Parliament of Tuvalu]] on a non-partisan basis; this lack of alignment is not unusual in the [[politics of Tuvalu]]; unusually for [[Tuvalu]], Italeli represented a constituency where [[trilingualism]] is a feature, since many inhabitants of Nui originate from [[Kiribati]], and thus speak [[Gilbertese language|Gilbertese]], in addition to [[Tuvaluan language|Tuvaluan]] and English, the fluency of which varies among local people.
Italeli was elected to represent [[Nui (atoll)|Nui]] in the [[Parliament of Tuvalu]] on a non-partisan basis; this lack of alignment is not unusual in the [[politics of Tuvalu]]; unusually for [[Tuvalu]], Italeli represented a constituency where [[trilingualism]] is a feature, since many inhabitants of Nui originate from [[Kiribati]], and thus speak [[Gilbertese language|Gilbertese]], in addition to [[Tuvaluan language|Tuvaluan]] and English, the fluency of which varies among local people.


His younger brother, [[Isaia Italeli]], was elected to Parliament, also as MP for Nui, in the [[2010 Tuvaluan general election|September 2010 general election]], and subsequently became Speaker, then Minister for Works and Natural Resources.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2327_E.htm Tuvalu: 2010 general election], [[Inter-Parliamentary Union]]</ref><ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-t/tuvalu.html Tuvalu: Cabinet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528053923/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-t/tuvalu.html |date=28 May 2010 }}, [[Central Intelligence Agency]]</ref>
His younger brother, [[Isaia Italeli]], was elected to Parliament, also as MP for Nui, in the [[2010 Tuvaluan general election|September 2010 general election]], and subsequently became [[Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu|Speaker]], then Minister for Works and Natural Resources in the [[Telavi Ministry]].<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2327_E.htm Tuvalu: 2010 general election], [[Inter-Parliamentary Union]]</ref><ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-t/tuvalu.html Tuvalu: Cabinet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528053923/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-t/tuvalu.html |date=28 May 2010 }}, [[Central Intelligence Agency]]</ref>


==Governor-General==
==Governor-General==
In 2010, Italeli was appointed [[Governor-General of Tuvalu]] by [[Elizabeth II]], [[Queen of Tuvalu]].
In 2010, Italeli was appointed [[Governor-General of Tuvalu]] by [[Elizabeth II]], [[Queen of Tuvalu]].
⚫
He was appointed to the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George as a Knight Grand Cross ([[GCMG]]) on 21 June 2010.


In 2013, Italeli faced a political crisis when Prime Minister [[Willy Telavi]]'s government lost [[2013 Nukufetau by-election|a crucial by-election on 28 June]] and thereby lost its majority in [[Parliament of Tuvalu|parliament]]. The opposition thereafter held a majority of seats (eight to seven) and immediately called for the Prime Minister to advise that parliament be reconvened.<ref>[http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1636/tuvalus-opposition-waiting-to-hear-from-gg/ "Tuvalu’s Opposition waiting to hear from GG"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108011424/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1636/tuvalus-opposition-waiting-to-hear-from-gg/ |date=8 January 2014 }}, ''[[Islands Business]]'', 1 July 2013</ref> Telavi responded that, under the constitution, parliament was required to convene only once a year and he was thus under no obligation to advise the Governor-General to summon it until December 2013.<ref>[http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=77230 "Parliament needs one yearly meeting only says defiant Tuvalu PM"], Radio New Zealand International, 2 July 2013</ref> The opposition turned to Italeli and, on 3 July, he exercised his [[reserve power]]s by summoning parliament, against the Prime Minister's wishes, on 30 July.<ref>[http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1725/tuvalus-parliament-convenes-july-30/ "Tuvalu’s parliament convenes July 30"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053503/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1725/tuvalus-parliament-convenes-july-30/ |date=21 September 2013 }}, ''Islands Business'', 3 July 2013</ref> With only five members of the governing party and eight members of the opposition party in the legislature,<ref name=IB080813>{{cite news|url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2146/tuvalu-govt-bombshells/ |last=Matau |first=Robert |title=Tuvalu govt bombshells |date=30 July 2013 |newspaper=Island Business |access-date=8 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429162109/http://islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2146/tuvalu-govt-bombshells/ |archive-date=29 April 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> the Speaker of the Parliament, [[Kamuta Latasi]], still refused to allow a vote of non-confidence and [[Taom Tanukale]], a member of Telavi's party, resigned his seat in parliament, prompting Telavi to assert that no confidence vote should be held until a by-election was conducted in Tanukale's district, but without giving a date for such an election.<ref name=IB010814/> The opposition subsequently appealed again to the Governor-General,<ref name=IB010814>{{cite news|url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2183/gg-appoints-sopoaga-as-tuvalus-caretaker-pm/ |last=Matau |first=Robert |title=GG appoints Sopoaga as Tuvalu's caretaker PM |date=1 August 2013 |newspaper=Island Business |access-date=8 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010153108/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2183/gg-appoints-sopoaga-as-tuvalus-caretaker-pm/ |archive-date=10 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> who then, on 1 August, replaced Telavi with the former opposition leader [[Enele Sopoaga]] as prime minister and ordered that parliament sit until 2 August to allow for the vote of non-confidence regarding Telavi's government to take place.<ref name=ABC>{{cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-01/tuvalu-government-in-crisis/4859432| title=Tuvalu government faces constitutional crisis| date=1 August 2013| publisher=Australia Network News| access-date=8 August 2013}}</ref> On the same day, Telavi declared he had written to [[Elizabeth II]], the [[Monarchy of Tuvalu|Queen of Tuvalu]], advising her to replace Italeli as governor general and that Italeli "had been fired".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-06/tuvalu-new-pm-confident-of-winning-next-election/4869580| last=Cooney| first=Campbell| title=Confident Tuvalu PM voice for climate change| date=6 August 2013| publisher=ABC| access-date=8 August 2013}}</ref> The Queen gave no indication of her reaction to Telavi's letter, leaving Italeli's position secure.<ref name=ABC />
In 2013, Italeli faced a political crisis when Prime Minister [[Willy Telavi]]'s government lost [[2013 Nukufetau by-election|a crucial by-election on 28 June]] and thereby lost its majority in [[Parliament of Tuvalu|parliament]]. The opposition thereafter held a majority of seats (eight to seven) and immediately called for the Prime Minister to advise that parliament be reconvened.<ref>[http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1636/tuvalus-opposition-waiting-to-hear-from-gg/ "Tuvalu’s Opposition waiting to hear from GG"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108011424/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1636/tuvalus-opposition-waiting-to-hear-from-gg/ |date=8 January 2014 }}, ''[[Islands Business]]'', 1 July 2013</ref> Telavi responded that, under the constitution, parliament was required to convene only once a year and he was thus under no obligation to advise the Governor-General to summon it until December 2013.<ref>[http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=77230 "Parliament needs one yearly meeting only says defiant Tuvalu PM"], Radio New Zealand International, 2 July 2013</ref> The opposition turned to Italeli and, on 3 July, he exercised his [[reserve power]]s by summoning parliament, against the Prime Minister's wishes, on 30 July.<ref>[http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1725/tuvalus-parliament-convenes-july-30/ "Tuvalu’s parliament convenes July 30"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053503/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1725/tuvalus-parliament-convenes-july-30/ |date=21 September 2013 }}, ''Islands Business'', 3 July 2013</ref> With only five members of the governing party and eight members of the opposition party in the legislature,<ref name=IB080813>{{cite news|url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2146/tuvalu-govt-bombshells/ |last=Matau |first=Robert |title=Tuvalu govt bombshells |date=30 July 2013 |newspaper=Island Business |access-date=8 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429162109/http://islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2146/tuvalu-govt-bombshells/ |archive-date=29 April 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> the Speaker of the Parliament, [[Kamuta Latasi]], still refused to allow a vote of non-confidence and [[Taom Tanukale]], a member of Telavi's party, resigned his seat in parliament, prompting Telavi to assert that no confidence vote should be held until a by-election was conducted in Tanukale's district, but without giving a date for such an election.<ref name=IB010814/> The opposition subsequently appealed again to the Governor-General,<ref name=IB010814>{{cite news|url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2183/gg-appoints-sopoaga-as-tuvalus-caretaker-pm/ |last=Matau |first=Robert |title=GG appoints Sopoaga as Tuvalu's caretaker PM |date=1 August 2013 |newspaper=Island Business |access-date=8 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010153108/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2183/gg-appoints-sopoaga-as-tuvalus-caretaker-pm/ |archive-date=10 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> who then, on 1 August, replaced Telavi with the former opposition leader [[Enele Sopoaga]] as prime minister and ordered that parliament sit until 2 August to allow for the vote of non-confidence regarding Telavi's government to take place.<ref name=ABC>{{cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-01/tuvalu-government-in-crisis/4859432| title=Tuvalu government faces constitutional crisis| date=1 August 2013| publisher=Australia Network News| access-date=8 August 2013}}</ref> On the same day, Telavi declared he had written to [[Elizabeth II]], the [[Monarchy of Tuvalu|Queen of Tuvalu]], advising her to replace Italeli as governor general and that Italeli "had been fired".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-06/tuvalu-new-pm-confident-of-winning-next-election/4869580| last=Cooney| first=Campbell| title=Confident Tuvalu PM voice for climate change| date=6 August 2013| publisher=ABC| access-date=8 August 2013}}</ref> The Queen gave no indication of her reaction to Telavi's letter, leaving Italeli's position secure.<ref name=ABC />

==Second term in parliament==
Italeli was elected as a member of parliament for Nui in the [[2024 Tuvaluan general election]].<ref name="RNZ-24-1-27"/> He follows the path set by Sir [[Tomu Sione]] who returned to the parliament following his term as Governor-General.<ref>{{cite web |work=PacificIslands Report |title=Tuvalu Elects 12 Members of Parliament |date=27 March 1998 |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/1998/03/27/tuvalu-elects-12-members-parliament |access-date=6 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006164059/http://www.pireport.org/articles/1998/03/27/tuvalu-elects-12-members-parliament |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 27 February 2024, Sir Iakoba Italeli was elected as the [[Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu]] in an uncontested ballot.<ref name=RNZ24-2-28>{{cite web |first=|last= |title= Cabinet lineup of new Tuvalu government unveiled|work=Radio New Zealand |date= 28 February 2024|url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/510410/cabinet-lineup-of-new-tuvalu-government-unveiled|access-date=28 February 2024}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Politics of Tuvalu]]
* [[Politics of Tuvalu]]
* [[Tuvaluan constitutional crisis]]
* [[Tuvaluan constitutional crisis]]
⚫
* [http://iakobaitaleli.gov.tv Sir Italeli Commonwealth Secretary-General Website]

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==References==
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{{Reflist}}


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{{s-bef|before=[[Kamuta Latasi]]<br />{{small|Acting}}}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Governor General of Tuvalu]]|years=2010–2019}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Governor General of Tuvalu]]|years=2010–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=Mrs. [[Teniku Talesi Honolulu]]<br>{{small|Acting}}}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Teniku Talesi]]<br>{{small|Acting}}}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Feleti Teo]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Attorney-General of Tuvalu|years=2002 – 2006}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Eselealofa Apinelu]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


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==References==
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{{Reflist}}

==External links==
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*[http://iakobaitaleli.gov.tv Sir Italeli Commonwealth Secretary-General campaign website]

{{commons category}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Italeli, Iakoba}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Italeli, Iakoba}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Attorneys General of Tuvalu]]
[[Category:Attorneys general of Tuvalu]]
[[Category:Governors-General of Tuvalu]]
[[Category:Governors-general of Tuvalu]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George]]
[[Category:People from Nui (atoll)]]
[[Category:People from Nui (atoll)]]
[[Category:Tuvaluan politicians]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of Tuvalu]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:International Maritime Law Institute alumni]]

Latest revision as of 21:49, 4 November 2024

Sir Iakoba Italeli
GCMG
Italeli in 2015
Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 February 2024
MonarchCharles III
Prime MinisterFeleti Teo
Preceded bySamuelu Teo
Governor-General of Tuvalu
In office
16 April 2010 – 22 August 2019
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime Minister
Preceded byKamuta Latasi
Succeeded byTeniku Talesi (acting)
Member of the Tuvaluan Parliament
for Nui
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 January 2024
Preceded byPuakena Boreham
In office
3 August 2006 – 16 September 2010
Preceded byTaom Tanukale
Succeeded byTaom Tanukale
Attorney General of Tuvalu
In office
2002–2006
Preceded byFeleti Teo
Succeeded byEselealofa Apinelu
Personal details
Born
Iakoba Taeia Italeli
Political partyIndependent
SpouseKoling Italeli Taeia
Alma materUniversity of Malta

Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli GCMG is a Tuvaluan politician who was the governor-general of Tuvalu from 16 April 2010,[1][2][3] until 22 August 2019,[4] when he resigned to contest in the 2019 general election.[5] He was not successful in that election, however he was elected as a member of parliament in the 2024 Tuvaluan general election.[6][7]

He is also a former attorney general of Tuvalu who served from 2002 to 2006. He was the chancellor of the University of the South Pacific from July 2014 to June 2015.[8]

In 2022 Italeli ran as Tuvalu's candidate to be the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. The aim was to fill the potential vacancy created if incumbent Patricia Scotland were to be prematurely disendorsed by a majority of member states, and to institute a pro-climate action agenda for the entire Commonwealth.[9] At CHOGM 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda, Italeli withdraw after an initial straw poll the votes were ultimately spit between Jamaican candidate Kamina Johnson Smith and Lady Scotland, who was victorious and stayed on as Secretary-General.[10]

Career

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Prior to entering politics, Italeli served in the Tuvaluan police force for two decades.[9] He worked his way up from constable to deputy commissioner.[11]

In 2001, Italeli graduated from the International Maritime Law Institute at the University of Malta. He was appointed as acting Attorney General in 2002, a position kept until 2006.

First term in parliament

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Italeli ran for public office for the first time in the Tuvaluan general election in 2006. He won the election, and became the representative of the Nui district in the Parliament of Tuvalu, a position kept for 4 more years.[12] He also served as the Minister of Education, Sports and Health, in the government of the Prime Minister, Apisai Ielemia.[12] He remained as minister until 2010 when he was appointed as governor-general.

Italeli was elected to represent Nui in the Parliament of Tuvalu on a non-partisan basis; this lack of alignment is not unusual in the politics of Tuvalu; unusually for Tuvalu, Italeli represented a constituency where trilingualism is a feature, since many inhabitants of Nui originate from Kiribati, and thus speak Gilbertese, in addition to Tuvaluan and English, the fluency of which varies among local people.

His younger brother, Isaia Italeli, was elected to Parliament, also as MP for Nui, in the September 2010 general election, and subsequently became Speaker, then Minister for Works and Natural Resources in the Telavi Ministry.[13][14]

Governor-General

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In 2010, Italeli was appointed Governor-General of Tuvalu by Elizabeth II, Queen of Tuvalu. He was appointed to the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George as a Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) on 21 June 2010.

In 2013, Italeli faced a political crisis when Prime Minister Willy Telavi's government lost a crucial by-election on 28 June and thereby lost its majority in parliament. The opposition thereafter held a majority of seats (eight to seven) and immediately called for the Prime Minister to advise that parliament be reconvened.[15] Telavi responded that, under the constitution, parliament was required to convene only once a year and he was thus under no obligation to advise the Governor-General to summon it until December 2013.[16] The opposition turned to Italeli and, on 3 July, he exercised his reserve powers by summoning parliament, against the Prime Minister's wishes, on 30 July.[17] With only five members of the governing party and eight members of the opposition party in the legislature,[18] the Speaker of the Parliament, Kamuta Latasi, still refused to allow a vote of non-confidence and Taom Tanukale, a member of Telavi's party, resigned his seat in parliament, prompting Telavi to assert that no confidence vote should be held until a by-election was conducted in Tanukale's district, but without giving a date for such an election.[19] The opposition subsequently appealed again to the Governor-General,[19] who then, on 1 August, replaced Telavi with the former opposition leader Enele Sopoaga as prime minister and ordered that parliament sit until 2 August to allow for the vote of non-confidence regarding Telavi's government to take place.[20] On the same day, Telavi declared he had written to Elizabeth II, the Queen of Tuvalu, advising her to replace Italeli as governor general and that Italeli "had been fired".[21] The Queen gave no indication of her reaction to Telavi's letter, leaving Italeli's position secure.[20]

Second term in parliament

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Italeli was elected as a member of parliament for Nui in the 2024 Tuvaluan general election.[6] He follows the path set by Sir Tomu Sione who returned to the parliament following his term as Governor-General.[22]

On 27 February 2024, Sir Iakoba Italeli was elected as the Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu in an uncontested ballot.[23]

See also

[edit]
Government offices
Preceded by Governor General of Tuvalu
2010–2019 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Attorney-General of Tuvalu
2002 – 2006 		Succeeded by

References

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  1. ^ "HE Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli, GCMG". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  2. ^ "New Tuvaluan MPs get key cabinet portfolios", Pacific Islands News Association, 29 September 2010
  3. ^ Hassall, Graham (2006). "The Tuvalu General Election 2006". Democracy and Elections project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  4. ^ "United Nations - Heads Of State" (PDF). United Nations - Protocol and Liaison Service. 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  5. ^ "GG's Appointment: Nanumaga Continues To Defy Government's Request". Kitiona Tausi, Tuvalu Paradise - Issue No. 44/2020. 9 October 2020. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Tuvalu general election: Six newcomers in parliament". Radio New Zealand. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  7. ^ Marinaccio, Jess (30 January 2024). "Tuvalu's 2024 general election: a new political landscape". PolicyDevBlog. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Chancellor". University of the South Pacific. August 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  9. ^ a b Crellin, Zac (7 June 2022). "Pacific minnow wants to head Commonwealth". The New Daily. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  10. ^ Flanagan, Jane; Zeffman, Henry (24 June 2022). "Baroness Scotland re-elected as Commonwealth chief in blow to Johnson". The Times. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Profile". Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli. Government of Tuvalu. 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  12. ^ a b Hassall, Graham (2006). "The Tuvalu General Election 2006". Democracy and Elections project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  13. ^ Tuvalu: 2010 general election, Inter-Parliamentary Union
  14. ^ Tuvalu: Cabinet Archived 28 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Central Intelligence Agency
  15. ^ "Tuvalu’s Opposition waiting to hear from GG" Archived 8 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Islands Business, 1 July 2013
  16. ^ "Parliament needs one yearly meeting only says defiant Tuvalu PM", Radio New Zealand International, 2 July 2013
  17. ^ "Tuvalu’s parliament convenes July 30" Archived 21 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Islands Business, 3 July 2013
  18. ^ Matau, Robert (30 July 2013). "Tuvalu govt bombshells". Island Business. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  19. ^ a b Matau, Robert (1 August 2013). "GG appoints Sopoaga as Tuvalu's caretaker PM". Island Business. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  20. ^ a b "Tuvalu government faces constitutional crisis". Australia Network News. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  21. ^ Cooney, Campbell (6 August 2013). "Confident Tuvalu PM voice for climate change". ABC. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  22. ^ "Tuvalu Elects 12 Members of Parliament". PacificIslands Report. 27 March 1998. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  23. ^ "Cabinet lineup of new Tuvalu government unveiled". Radio New Zealand. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
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