Iakoba Italeli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Iakoba Italeli GCMG
Italeli in 2015
Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 February 2024
Monarch	Charles III
Prime Minister	Feleti Teo
Preceded by	Samuelu Teo
Governor-General of Tuvalu
In office 16 April 2010 – 22 August 2019
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Apisai Ielemia Maatia Toafa Willy Telavi Enele Sopoaga
Preceded by	Kamuta Latasi
Succeeded by	Teniku Talesi (acting)
Member of the Tuvaluan Parliament for Nui
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 January 2024
Preceded by	Puakena Boreham
In office 3 August 2006 – 16 September 2010
Preceded by	Taom Tanukale
Succeeded by	Taom Tanukale
Attorney General of Tuvalu
In office 2002–2006
Preceded by	Feleti Teo
Succeeded by	Eselealofa Apinelu
Personal details
Born	Iakoba Taeia Italeli
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Koling Italeli Taeia
Alma mater	University of Malta

Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli is an important politician from Tuvalu, a small island nation. He has held many key roles in his country's government. From 2010 to 2019, he served as the Governor-General of Tuvalu. This role is like being the Queen's representative in Tuvalu.

After stepping down as Governor-General, he ran for election to become a member of parliament. He was elected in the 2024 Tuvaluan general election. In February 2024, he was chosen to be the Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu. The Speaker is in charge of leading meetings in the parliament.

Sir Iakoba also worked as the Attorney General of Tuvalu from 2002 to 2006. This means he was the main legal advisor to the government. He was also the head of the University of the South Pacific for a year, from 2014 to 2015.

Early Life and Career

Before he became a politician, Iakoba Italeli worked in the Tuvaluan police force. He spent twenty years there, starting as a constable and working his way up. He eventually became the deputy commissioner, which is a high-ranking position.

In 2001, he studied law at the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta. After finishing his studies, he was appointed as the acting Attorney General in 2002. He held this important legal role until 2006.

First Time in Parliament

Iakoba Italeli first ran for public office in 2006. He won the election and became a member of the Parliament of Tuvalu. He represented the Nui district for four years.

During this time, he also served as the Minister of Education, Sports, and Health. He was part of the government led by Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia. He continued as a minister until 2010, when he was appointed as the Governor-General.

Italeli was elected as an independent politician, meaning he didn't belong to a specific political party. This is quite common in Tuvalu. His district, Nui, is special because many people there speak three languages: Gilbertese, Tuvaluan, and English.

His younger brother, Isaia Italeli, also became a member of parliament for Nui in 2010. Isaia later became the Speaker of Parliament and then a minister.

Serving as Governor-General

In 2010, Elizabeth II, who was the Queen of Tuvalu at the time, appointed Iakoba Italeli as the Governor-General of Tuvalu. This is a very important role, representing the Queen in Tuvalu. In 2011, he was given a special honor, becoming a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG).

Political Challenges

In 2013, Tuvalu faced a political challenge. The Prime Minister, Willy Telavi, lost his majority in parliament after a special election. This meant the opposition party had more seats. The opposition wanted parliament to meet again to discuss the government.

However, Prime Minister Telavi said parliament only needed to meet once a year. He did not want to call a meeting until December. The opposition then asked Governor-General Italeli for help.

On July 3, 2013, Governor-General Italeli used his special powers. He called for parliament to meet on July 30, even though the Prime Minister disagreed. When parliament met, the Speaker refused to allow a vote to remove the Prime Minister. Another member of the Prime Minister's party also resigned.

The opposition again asked the Governor-General for help. On August 1, Governor-General Italeli replaced Prime Minister Telavi with the opposition leader, Enele Sopoaga. He also ordered parliament to meet until August 2 to vote on the previous government. Prime Minister Telavi tried to have Governor-General Italeli removed by the Queen, but his position remained secure.

Second Time in Parliament

Sir Iakoba Italeli was elected as a member of parliament for Nui again in the 2024 Tuvaluan general election. This means he returned to parliament after serving as Governor-General, just like Sir Tomu Sione did before him.

On February 27, 2024, Sir Iakoba Italeli was chosen to be the Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu. He was the only candidate for the position, so he was elected without a contest.

See also

In Spanish: Iakoba Italeli para niños

• Politics of Tuvalu
• Tuvaluan constitutional crisis