‘I feel normal’: Laauli steps into Sāmoa’s top job with humility and heavy expectations

Sāmoa’s new Prime Minister is embodying a spirit of humility and unity amid major challenges.

Addressing the media shortly after being sworn-in to office, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt reflects a calm resolve, emphasising his readiness to lead while grappling with urgent financial constraints and lingering legal issues.

“I feel normal. I don’t feel any different,” he says. “I feel the same here in this chair of leadership, as I would if we were talking under the shade of a tamaligi tree. It’s all the same. All I can say is praise the Lord, but there is no ‘excitement’ to speak of... I am used to this work... the responsibility.”

That sense of normalcy contrasts sharply with the major challenges already facing his new government. Laauli confirmed that heads of public sector agencies had warned him that the caretaker budget held just one week’s worth of funds to cover salaries.

An emergency budget will be presented to Cabinet immediately to keep government operations running for the next 30 days, with the central budget scheduled for parliamentary debate in mid-to-late October.

“The first priority is the budget, and then we can focus on what was pledged in our manifesto,” he said.

The first official photos from Sāmoa's new cabinet leadership. A Wednesday morning courtesy call from the Governor of American Samoa Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and delegation. Photo/Government of Samoa/Facebook

Laauli says his cabinet lineup, including a shared deputy prime ministerialship, stems from his earlier experiences at the leadership table, where the deputy's workload was heavy.

“It seemed that there was a need to share the workload. So what we've done here, by sharing the responsibility, is our way of introducing a change but operating within the legal parameters,” he told reporters. Looking ahead, Laauli signalled plans to amend Sāmoa’s Constitution to establish two deputy prime minister positions permanently.

While planning to reshape the government's structure, Laauli is also facing scrutiny over his own position. He is awaiting a court ruling in one case and may face separate charges related to comments he made during the campaign period about former Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataafa.

When pressed by the media, he responded: “Take it from me today. The court will take its course. I claim my innocence, and time will tell. Whatever the answer from the court, the government will follow and respect the decision.”

Watch Laauli's first press conference as Prime Minister of Sāmoa

Despite the shadow of his legal issues, Laauli vows to maintain openness with the media, announcing weekly press conferences to improve transparency.

“If I am not available, a member of Cabinet will be our spokesman,” he says. “Tell the truth, report the truth. That’s where you can be of service to the country.”

The Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, earlier reinforced the theme of unity in his address to Parliament, urging Sāmoa’s leaders to set aside the bitterness of past campaigns.

“The campaign season is behind us, and the people have spoken,” he told a capacity crowd at Tuanaimato Multi-purpose Gymnasium. “It is time to heal wounds, forgive, reconcile, and march forward together in the spirit of unity. Our canoe cannot move forward if each person or faction paddles in a different direction.”

Laauli assumes office with a commanding majority, holding 31 seats in the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party, compared to the nearest rivals, the Human Rights Protection Party’s (HRPP), which has 14 seats, and six independents. But he must contend with financial constraints, a new power-sharing arrangement in his deputy roles, and unresolved legal matters.

His focus on humility, compromise, and transparency underscores the delicate balance that will define his leadership in the first weeks of Sāmoa’s new political era.