Leader of Samoa political party Fa’atuatua I Le Atua Samoa Ua Tasi (FAST) Party, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, made a special announcement from the party headquarters in Vaitele this evening to thank the people for their patience as they work towards forming the 17th Government of Samoa since the country went to the polls on April 9.
The former Deputy Prime Minister for the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) spoke about latest developments since Monday’s Supreme Court decisions that the appointment of a sixth woman Member of Parliament was void and that the country was not required to go back to the polls called for by the Head of State on Friday 21 May.
Fiame says she is pleased to report that earlier today alongside her Deputy Leader Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt met with His Highness Head of State Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II who agreed that Parliament should be convened. She says they have requested this to take place this Friday.
The daughter of the first Prime Minister of Western Samoa between 1959-1970 Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinu’u II, acknowledged the Head of State for recognising the critical role of Parliament and the need to bring together those who have been elected in order to form Government and to get on with the business of governing the country.
Caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi confirmed that they would appeal the Supreme Court’s rulings made on Monday. The cases are set to be heard tomorrow.
FAST party has 26 seats and HRPP 25. Fiame is set to make history and become Samoa’s first woman Prime Minster.
Image credit: FAST PARTY / Facebook