After the death of Prime Minister Ionatana on 8 December 2000, Lagitupu Tuilimu was acting prime minister from 8 December 2000 to 24 February 2001.
He served as the Acting Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 8 December 2000 to 24 February 2001 following the death of incumbent Ionatana Ionatana.
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He became deputy Prime Minister and finance minister in April 1999, when Ionatana Ionatana's government took office.
There were three candidates: Patale, Lagitupu Tuilimu who had held the seat from 1998 2002, and newcomer Lopati Tefoa.