After a tenure as Tonga's prime minister marked by rifts with the royal family and a regional summit, Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has resigned ahead of a no-confidence motion.
Parliament had been set to discuss Mr Sovaleni's leadership on Monday, with 'Aisake Eke poised to bring on the motion on behalf of 10 members of parliament.
However, with tears in his eyes, Mr Sovaleni offered his resignation in a surprise parliamentary address, local news website Matangi Tonga reported.
"I will untie this knot so that you will have your freedom to choose," Mr Sovaleni said.
"Today, with respect to His Majesty, the unity and for the good of our nation as a whole with my immense love for those that we stood together ... leave it to me to bear the brunt and pain."
It is unclear who will replace Mr Sovaleni, who was Tonga's leader for three years.
Mr Sovaleni survived a separate no-confidence vote in 2023 and resigned as defence minister earlier in 2024 when head of state King Tupou VI withdrew confidence.
Tonga is a constitutional monarchy, with its citizens holding the royal family in the highest esteem.
Tensions remain between lawmakers and the monarchy, which only ceded many of its powers to the mostly-elected parliament after pro-democracy riots in the mid-2000s.
Tonga was the 2024 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) host nation, with Mr Sovaleni serving as chair of the pivotal regional organisation that rotates the position among Pacific leaders.
The Polynesian nation hosted the forum's leaders' meeting in August when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other heads of government visited Nuku'alofa.
King Tupou VI did not appear at the summit.
Despite its relatively small size and a nearby earthquake on the opening day of the Pacific gathering, Tonga pulled off a well-organised event, noted by all for its warm hospitality.
"The community, the church and that have all come together to provide hospitality to our visitors, our forum members and dialogue partners," Mr Sovaleni said.
"I'm very happy we've had that support welcoming the Pacific and the world here to Tonga."
Mr Sovaleni told local media on Monday the nation did not need the drama of a prime ministerial leadership contest.
"Tonga has been through a lot, don't need to put them through another vote and all that, so I might as well just resign and provide some kind of support moving forward," he said.
His successor will be decided by Tonga's 26-strong parliament, a mix of elected MPs and chiefs.
