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Category: Samoan elections

  • MIL-Evening Report: Samoa parliament formally dissolved after months of uncertainty

    RNZ Pacific

    Samoa’s Parliament has been formally dissolved, and an early election is set to take place within three months.

    After months of political instability and two motions of no confidence, Prime Minister Fiāme Naomi Mata’afa said she would call for the dissolution of Parliament if cabinet did not support her government’s budget.

    MPs from both the opposition Human Rights Protection Party and Fiāme’s former FAST party joined forces to defeat the budget with the final vote coming in 34 against, 16 in support and 2 abstentions.

    Fiāme went to the Head of State and advised him to dissolve Parliament, and her advice was accepted.

    This all came from a period of political turmoil that kicked off shortly after New Year.

    A split in the FAST Party in January saw Fiāme remove FAST Party chairman La’auli Leuatea Schmidt and several FAST ministers from her cabinet.

    In turn, he ejected her from FAST, leaving her leading a minority government.

    Minority government defeated
    Earlier this year, over a two-week period, Fiāme and her minority government defeated two back-to-back leadership challenges.

    On February 25, with La’auli’s help, she defeated a no-confidence vote moved by Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, 34 votes to 15.

    Then on March 6, this time with Tuilaepa’s help, she defeated a challenge mounted by La’auli, 32 votes to 19.

    Parliament now enters caretaker mode, until the election and the formation of a new government.

    Samoa’s Electoral Commissioner said his office has filed an affidavit to the Supreme Court, seeking legal direction and extra time to complete the electoral roll ahead of an early election.

    A hearing on this is set to be held on Wednesday.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Samoa parliament to be dissolved in June, election date to come

    By Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific journalist

    Its official. Samoa’s Parliament will be dissolved next week and the country will have an early return to the polls.

    The confirmation comes after a dramatic day in Parliament on Tuesday, which saw the government’s budget voted down at its first reading.

    In a live address today, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa confirmed the dissolution of Parliament.

    The official notice of the dissolution of Samoa’s Legislative Assembly. May 2025

    “Upon the adjournment of Parliament yesterday, I met with the Head of State and tendered my advice to dissolve Parliament,” she said.

    Fiame said that advice was accepted, and the Head of State has confirmed that the official dissolution of Parliament will take place on Tuesday, June 3.

    According to Samoa’s constitution, an election must be held within three months of parliament being dissolved.

    Fiame reassured the public that constitutional arrangements are in place to ensure the elections are held lawfully and smoothly.

    Caretaker mode
    In the meantime, she said the government would operate in caretaker mode with oversight on public expenditure.

    “There are constitutional provisions governing the use of public funds by a caretaker government,” she said.

    PM Fiame Naomi Mata’afa in Parliament on Tuesday . . . Parliament will go into caretaker mode. Image: Samoan Govt /RNZ Pacific

    “Priority will be given to ensuring that the machinery of government continues to function.”

    She also took a moment to thank the public for their prayers and support during this time.

    Despite the political instability, Fiame said Samoa’s 63rd Independence Day celebrations would proceed as planned.

    The official programme begins with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, June 1, at 6pm at Muliwai Cathedral.

    This will be followed by a flag-raising ceremony on Monday, June 2, in front of the Government Building at Eleele Fou.

    The dissolution of Parliament brings to an end months of political instability which began in January.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –