A publisher and political commentator says 'Akilisi Pohiva is the big winner of Tonga's election on Thursday.
Mr Pohiva's Democratic Party won 14 out of the 17 seats.
Tonga's caretaker PM 'Akilisi Pohiva Photo: RNZI/Monica Miller
Kalafi Moala said it was a remarkable and unexpected feat, given the Pohiva administration's tenure was cut short by the August dissolution of Parliament.
The King called the snap election over concerns about the government's conduct.
Mr Moala said despite this Mr Pohiva's brand remains strong.
"He has declined in terms of numbers but he's still the most dominant politician that's influenced politics in Tonga," he said.
The public has not listened to the accusations surrounding the conduct of 'Akilisi Pohiva and the last government according to Mr Moala.
There were claims the government had acted unconstitutionally by signing international agreements without the King's approval.
The dissolution was the end of a term full of controversy, including the late withdrawal from hosting the 2019 Pacific Games, and the development of a heritage site.
But Mr Moala said that didn't seem to matter.
"Even the fact that there have been the proclamations everywhere during this campaign that this is the most scandalous government that's ever been in Tonga, obviously nobody listened to that."
"It's quite interesting. It was like teflon, it just comes out and it hits people and it falls off," he said.
Photo: RNZI/ Koro Vaka'uta
Seven of the nine seats set aside for Nobles were returned to the incumbents, Lord Vaha'i and Lord Fakafanua two changes in Tongatapu and Ha'apai respectively.
Meanwhile, one of 14 Democratic Party candidates to win a seat in Thursday's election in Tonga, said the result shows the people did not agree with the dissolution of Parliament.
Pohiva Tu'ionetoa, a cabinet minister in the last government, said the people have made a statement.
"Although the House has been dissolved, they do make a strong statement, that the people want the democracy to progress. The people state that the dissolution of Parliament was not the proper way to progress in democracy in this country," Mr Tu'ionetoa said.