Fiamē survives second vote of no confidence

Sāmoa's Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa continues to govern as a minority leader after surviving a second vote of no-confidence in two weeks.

The motion, initiated by Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party chair and leader Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt, fails to pass on Thursday, with 32 members of Parliament opposing it and 19 supporting it.

Fiamē only requires a simple majority to remain in power, and opposition MPs ultimately provided the necessary votes to secure her position by voting against the motion.

The results confirm that 51 MPs participated in the vote.

Political tensions escalate throughout the day as Speaker Papaliʻi Liʻo Taeu Masipau ejects two cabinet ministers - Minister for Works, Transport, and Infrastructure Olo Fiti Vaai and Minister for Public Enterprises Leatinuu Wayne Sooialo - amid heated exchanges, only to recall them minutes later to cast their votes.

Attempts by FAST and the opposition Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) to form a united front against Fiamē collapse, with FAST advocating for a leadership change while HRPP pushes for the dissolution of Parliament and fresh elections.

Fiamē tries to have the motion dismissed earlier in the day, but the Speaker allows the debate to proceed.

The instability comes as the country approaches its next general election, which is now less than a year away.

Watch the debate below.

Independent journalist Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson warns that the internal struggles within the FAST Party undermine governance in Sāmoa.

Jackson says that while Fiamē remains a strong stateswoman with a loyal following, the internal struggles within FAST, particularly between its chairman Laʻauli and Fiamē, have made governance increasingly difficult.

"At the end of the day, La'auli created the party and brought her in as a figurehead," Jackson says.

Susuga Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt. Photo/Screenshot

"She took that challenge and she ran with it and what has eventuated was actually predicted by many commentators, by many political and chiefly leaders in Sāmoa in that there will eventually be a power struggle between La'auli and Fiamē, and mostly La'auli because he brought this party to bear, and he brought someone else to take the leadership as Prime Minister."

Jackson adds that this uncertainty could shape Sāmoa’s political future in two ways: Either FAST consolidates its support around Laʻauli, or the discontent leads to a resurgence of HRPP.

Speaker Papaliʻi Liʻo Taeu Masipau. Photo/Screenshot

Meanwhile, Jackson also highlights the challenges journalists face in covering Sāmoa’s political turmoil, pointing out that media suppression continues to be a concern under both FAST and HRPP governments.

“Some of the media that were reporting from the outside of parliament were told to shut off their cameras," she says. "

I just want to highlight the fact that media suppression continues to be an issue for Sāmoa when it comes to politics."

Listen to Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson's full interview below.