Sāmoa political crisis: Parliament to vote on no-confidence motion against PM Fiamē

A motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa will be the first item on the agenda when Samoa's parliament convenes on Tuesday.

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Papalii Lio Masipua granted the opposition's formal request for a vote of no confidence against Fiame.

Opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, who is also the head of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), confirmed that the Speaker approved the motion in writing and allowed five members from the opposition bench to speak on it.

Tuilaepa said that the vote is specifically targeting Fiamē and her Cabinet.

He claims that the Prime Minister no longer commands the majority of members in parliament and has called for her to step down.

According to Sāmoa's constitutional requirements, the MP who commands the majority of MPs should be elected as Prime Minister or continue as Prime Minister. The majority needed is 27 to support Fiame, but currently, she holds only six members, including herself.

"The constitutional requirement has not been fulfilled," Tuilaepa told RNZ Pacific.

"The appropriate action for her is to resign, and the country should be called for elections. She cannot govern or commit the government, parliament, or any legislation to new agreements. "

However, the Sāmoan government stated that the move by Tuilaepa is "another desperate attempt to stir political drama" ahead of the no-confidence vote.

Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataafa, left, and the leader of the HRPP Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi during a parliament session. Photo/Parliament of Samoa

"Fiame has made it abundantly clear - she will not resign," it said in a statement on Saturday.

"If Tuilaepa truly believes in democracy and the Constitution, he should bring his issue to Parliament instead of making noise in the media.

"The Prime Minister's stance is firm: she was elected to lead, and she will not step down just because Tuilaepa demands it."

The Sāmoan government statement added that if Tuilaepa thinks he has the numbers, then he should let the parliament decide.

"If not, then he should stop wasting everyone's time with his usual distractions."

The no-confidence motion is a result of the political crisis that began in early January after a fallout between Fiamē and the chairman of the ruling FAST Party, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt.

Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataafa at an official functio this week. Photo/Government of Samoa.

Laauli, who is the chairman of FAST, was dismissed as the agriculture and fisheries minister by Fiamē on 9 January.

He acknowledged the challenge of holding a vote of no confidence, but refrained from disclosing the party's position, stating they will wait until Tuesday.

This article was first published by RNZ.