Samoa’s troubles escalate as the prime minister suspends parliament | Election Issues

The surprise comes two days before parliament swore in Fiame opposition leader Naomi Mata’afa as Samoa’s first prime minister.

Samoa is embroiled in a new turmoil after its prime minister has officially dissolved a parliament that is expected to confirm the Pacific Ocean’s first state change in almost 40 years.

Tuimalealiifano’s law Vaaletoa Sualauvi II on Tuesday came two days before the newly elected parliament in Samoa was ready to swear in and swear off FAST Fiame leader Naomi Mata’afa as the first female prime minister.

In a few comments posted on Facebook, Sualauvi said he was suspending parliament “until the time it will be announced and for reasons that I will announce later.”

FAST said it would ask the Supreme Court to amend the law on Sunday.

The election of the head of state was the latest change in the political crisis that erupted after the April 9 election after a 25-25 agreement between the FAST Party and the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), with one independent candidate.

The electoral officer intervened, electing another HRPP candidate, who was required to comply with the country’s constitution.

Independent, then, decided to go with FAST, making 26-26.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who has been in office for 22 years, then urged Sualauvi to call a run-off election on May 21.

The FAST has filed an appeal and the Supreme Court last week ruled against all nominees and the idea of ​​a new election, restoring the Mata’afa party to 26-25.

When judges rejected HRPP’s request not to comply with the verdict on Friday, Sualauvi asked Parliament to sit on Monday, and then to repeal the law on Saturday night.

Radio New Zealand says the recent Sualauvi announcement raises financial problems “as parliament must be held within 45 days of the election” and “anyone living after Monday appears to be violating this”.

Malielegaoi, meanwhile, insisted that HRPP still had 220,000 national figures while Mata’afa said it would challenge a recent court ruling.

The daughter of Samoa’s first Prime Minister, Mata’afa, was formerly second in Malielegaoi and split from the government last year after protesting against legal and court changes in Samoa.

The 64-year-old said she would “agree to the rules”.