Latest news with #FiameNaomiMataafa
RNZ News
2 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Samoa parliament formally dissolved after months of uncertainty
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa on the floor of parliament, 21 January, 2025 Photo: Parliament of Samoa 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 Fiame 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 Fiame's former FAST party joined forces to defeat the budget with the final vote coming in 34 against, 16 in support and 2 abstentions. Fiame 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's. A split in the FAST Party in January saw Fiame 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. Earlier this year, over a two-week period, Fiame and her minority government defeated two back-to-back leadership challenges. On 25 February, with La'auli's help, she defeated a no-confidence vote moved by Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, 34 votes to 15. Then on 6 March, 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.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
'We expect to get the majority', says Tuila'epa
Samoa's former long time prime minister Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi believes his party has a good chance of regaining power after the implosion of the ruling FAST Party. Tuila'epa reign of more than two decades came to an end in 2021 when a court ruled Fiame Naomi Mata'afa was the rightful prime minister after a months-long constitutional crisis. However, infighting and dispute within Fiame's government will now culminate in the dissolution of parliament and early elections. It came about this week when FAST MPs refused to pass the budget put forward by Fiame. Parliament will be dissolved next week and fresh elections are due to be held sometime in the next three months. "We expect to get the majority," said former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition HRPP. Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi told ABC Pacific. "All we have are problems after problems confronting the country," he added.
ABC News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Tuvalu Climate Minister slams North West Shelf project extension
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is staying tight lipped about whether she'll form a new party to contest the upcoming snap election or run as an independent. The life of Australia's largest oil and gas project will be extended to 2070. It's been met with criticism by Tuvalu's Climate Minister Maina Talia. Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta says a meeting with the survivors of convicted paedophile Richard Daschbach's did not influence his decision not to grant the American a presidential pardon. New South Wales has defeated Queensland in the State of Origin opener 18-6 with a spectacular performance. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States concludes this week. It recognises the contributions of Asian, American and Pacific individuals have made to American society—in areas like science, government, the arts, business, and civil rights. Cricket PNG is seeking to revitalise the game in Lae, and grow the game in the Highland Provinces, as they seek out the best new talent.
Reuters
28-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Samoa dissolves parliament after leader unable to pass budget
SYDNEY, May 28 (Reuters) - Samoa's parliament will dissolve on June 3 and the Pacific Island nation will hold an election at an unspecified date, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said on Wednesday. Fiame was unable to gain enough support to pass budget legislation in parliament on Monday and said in a statement that she had advised Samoa's head of state, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, that parliament should be dissolved. A dissolution notice was signed and gazetted on Wednesday. Fiame was elected in 2021, one of the Pacific's few female leaders, and faced a months-long court battle when the incumbent who had held power for two decades disputed the result. Unlike her predecessor, Fiame was sceptical of Chinese investment, and raised the international profile of the nation of 200,000 people by hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting last year. Fiame was expelled from her political party, FAST, in January in a factional dispute.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Samoa parliament to be dissolved in June, election date to come
The Samoa Electoral Commission show votes being tallied during the general election in the capital city of Apia Photo: AFP or licensors 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 Monday, 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. "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, 3 June. According to Samoa's constitution, an election must be held within three months of parliament being dissolved. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa in parliament on Tuesday. Photo: Samoa Government Fiame reassured the public that constitutional arrangements are in place to ensure the elections are held lawfully and smoothly. In the meantime, she said the government will 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. "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 will proceed as planned. The official program begins with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 1 June at 6pm at Muliwai Cathedral. This will be followed by a flag-raising ceremony on Monday, 2 June 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.
