Tonga

Legislative Assembly

Law-making

Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities

Legislative activity

Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year
22 (2021)
See historical data for this field.
Dates of the previous legislature
18.12.2017 to 16.09.2021
See historical data for this field.

Executive-legislative relations

Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Clause 41
Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year
(2021)
See historical data for this field.
Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation: Not applicable; No further action is taken. The legislation is rejected; The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination; The legislation is referred to the Constitutional/Supreme Court;The legislation is put to a referendum; Other (please specify)
Other (please specify):
Not applicable. The Head of State cannot decline to give assent to legislation adopted by parliament
No
Notes
Constitution, Clause 68: King's veto precludes discussion. Should the King withhold his sanction from any law passed by the Legislative Assembly and submitted to him for approval, it shall be unlawful for the Legislative Assembly to discuss such law again until the following session.
Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree: Not applicable; Parliament; Head of State; Constitutional/Supreme Court; Other (please specify)
Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation
See historical data for this field.
Not applicable. There is no procedure to introduce emergency legislation.
No