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Scoop
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Explainer: The Saga Of Samoa's State Affairs And What Comes Next
Article – RNZ The year 2025 was only days old when Samoa's political system hit turbulence., RNZ Pacific Journalist The year 2025 was only days old when Samoa's political system hit turbulence. Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa removed La'auli Leuatea Schmidt as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the second week of January. A government statement said this matter arose following the formal announcement of allegations implicating the minister. La'auli faced several criminal charges, and speculation raged in Samoa and on social media, prompting the police commissioner to clarify the charges against him. Fiame removed several more ministers before La'auli – still the chairman of FAST – turned around and sacked the prime minister from her own party. The Samoan diaspora in New Zealand expressed their concerns, holding a prayer gathering in Auckland earlier this year. Fiame faced two votes of no confidence, her first on 25 February and her second on 6 March. But last month she conceded defeat after her government's budget was voted down. 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. Who is involved Prime Minister Fiame led a faction of 15 MPs, including notable figures like now-former deputy prime minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio. The other FAST party faction is led by La'auli, while long-serving opposition leader and former prime minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, heads the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). In 2021, La'auli stepped aside to allow Fiame to lead the FAST party during the elections. Both FAST and HRPP ended with 25 candidates each, which prompted independent MP Ponifasio to become a pivotal figure by aligning with FAST, resulting in Fiame becoming Samoa's first female prime minister. What happens next Samoa's Parliament was formally dissolved on 3 June and the country is heading to an early election. Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Stanley had sought an additional six weeks to aide in preparations but this was declined by the Supreme Court on 5 June. RNZ Pacific correspondent Galumalemana Tipi Autagavaia attended the hearing. Chief justice Satiu Simativa Perese said there was a big gap in the constitution that conflicts with the Electoral Act, and his advice was for the next government to look at this. The Electoral Commissioner informed local media after the court hearing, in the presence of Galumalemana, that the election date is set for 29 August. He indicated that the electoral roll will close at the end of June. The head of state will provide official confirmation next Tuesday with a formal writ detailing the election date and the deadline for closing the election roll.
Scoop
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Explainer: The Saga Of Samoa's State Affairs And What Comes Next
Article – RNZ The year 2025 was only days old when Samoa's political system hit turbulence., RNZ Pacific Journalist The year 2025 was only days old when Samoa's political system hit turbulence. Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa removed La'auli Leuatea Schmidt as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the second week of January. A government statement said this matter arose following the formal announcement of allegations implicating the minister. La'auli faced several criminal charges, and speculation raged in Samoa and on social media, prompting the police commissioner to clarify the charges against him. Fiame removed several more ministers before La'auli – still the chairman of FAST – turned around and sacked the prime minister from her own party. The Samoan diaspora in New Zealand expressed their concerns, holding a prayer gathering in Auckland earlier this year. Fiame faced two votes of no confidence, her first on 25 February and her second on 6 March. But last month she conceded defeat after her government's budget was voted down. 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. Who is involved Prime Minister Fiame led a faction of 15 MPs, including notable figures like now-former deputy prime minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio. The other FAST party faction is led by La'auli, while long-serving opposition leader and former prime minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, heads the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). In 2021, La'auli stepped aside to allow Fiame to lead the FAST party during the elections. Both FAST and HRPP ended with 25 candidates each, which prompted independent MP Ponifasio to become a pivotal figure by aligning with FAST, resulting in Fiame becoming Samoa's first female prime minister. What happens next Samoa's Parliament was formally dissolved on 3 June and the country is heading to an early election. Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Stanley had sought an additional six weeks to aide in preparations but this was declined by the Supreme Court on 5 June. RNZ Pacific correspondent Galumalemana Tipi Autagavaia attended the hearing. Chief justice Satiu Simativa Perese said there was a big gap in the constitution that conflicts with the Electoral Act, and his advice was for the next government to look at this. The Electoral Commissioner informed local media after the court hearing, in the presence of Galumalemana, that the election date is set for 29 August. He indicated that the electoral roll will close at the end of June. The head of state will provide official confirmation next Tuesday with a formal writ detailing the election date and the deadline for closing the election roll.
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Explainer: The Saga Of Samoa's State Affairs And What Comes Next
The year 2025 was only days old when Samoa's political system hit turbulence. Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa removed La'auli Leuatea Schmidt as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the second week of January. A government statement said this matter arose following the formal announcement of allegations implicating the minister. La'auli faced several criminal charges, and speculation raged in Samoa and on social media, prompting the police commissioner to clarify the charges against him. Fiame removed several more ministers before La'auli - still the chairman of FAST - turned around and sacked the prime minister from her own party. The Samoan diaspora in New Zealand expressed their concerns, holding a prayer gathering in Auckland earlier this year. Fiame faced two votes of no confidence, her first on 25 February and her second on 6 March. But last month she conceded defeat after her government's budget was voted down. 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. Who is involved Prime Minister Fiame led a faction of 15 MPs, including notable figures like now-former deputy prime minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio. The other FAST party faction is led by La'auli, while long-serving opposition leader and former prime minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, heads the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). In 2021, La'auli stepped aside to allow Fiame to lead the FAST party during the elections. Both FAST and HRPP ended with 25 candidates each, which prompted independent MP Ponifasio to become a pivotal figure by aligning with FAST, resulting in Fiame becoming Samoa's first female prime minister. What happens next Samoa's Parliament was formally dissolved on 3 June and the country is heading to an early election. Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Stanley had sought an additional six weeks to aide in preparations but this was declined by the Supreme Court on 5 June. RNZ Pacific correspondent Galumalemana Tipi Autagavaia attended the hearing. Chief justice Satiu Simativa Perese said there was a big gap in the constitution that conflicts with the Electoral Act, and his advice was for the next government to look at this. The Electoral Commissioner informed local media after the court hearing, in the presence of Galumalemana, that the election date is set for 29 August. He indicated that the electoral roll will close at the end of June. The head of state will provide official confirmation next Tuesday with a formal writ detailing the election date and the deadline for closing the election roll.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
No extended time for Samoa election prep, court rules
The first day of the first sitting of Samoa's parliament for 2025 Photo: Parliament of Samoa Samoa's Supreme Court has ruled against extra time for the Electoral Commission to complete the electoral rolls ahead of an early election. It follows the formal dissolution of its parliament on 3 June in the wake of several months of political uncertainty. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa had 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. Samoa's Electoral Commissioner said his office has filed an affidavit to the Supreme Court, seeking legal direction and an extra six weeks to complete the electoral roll ahead of an early election. But the court has ruled there will be no extension. More to come.
RNZ News
3 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.
