Sāmoan Prime Minister Fiamé survives no confidence vote

Sāmoan Prime Minister Fiamé Naomi Mata'afa has survived a vote of no confidence after weeks of political turmoil.

In a vote on Tuesday, she defeated the motion by 34 votes against and 15 in favour.

The motion was prompted by a split in the ruling FAST Party, which saw Fiame leading a minority government.

But in a shock move, FAST members voted alongside Fiamé's faction to register a resounding defeat against opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi's motion.

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

Tuilaepa, 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.

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.

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

Political upheaval hit Sāmoa just three days into 2025 when the chairman of the ruling FAST party and Sāmoa's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries La'auli Leuatea Schmidt confirmed he was facing criminal charges.

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

On 10 January, Mata'afa removed La'auli's ministerial portfolio and subsequently removed three of her Cabinet ministers.

But La'auli remained chair of the FAST Party, and went on to announce the removal of the prime minister and five Cabinet ministers from the ruling party.

This decision was reportedly challenged by the removed members. Fiame then removed 13 of her associate ministers.

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

Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa at Teuila Festival. Photo/Samoa Government.

Fiamé is Sāmoa's first female prime minister. She had heritage - her father, Fiamé Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u, was the country's first PM.

She took office following the April 2021 election, but that devolved into political crisis.

The caretaker HRPP government locked the doors to parliament in an attempt to stop the then prime minister-elect from being sworn into office following her FAST Party's one-seat election win.

Two governments claimed a mandate to rule, and the UN urged the party leaders to find a solution through discussion.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the country had a new government after it judged the impromptu swearing-in by the newcomer FAST party on 24 May was legitimate under the doctrine of necessity.

From left, FAST Party chairman Laauli Leuatea Schmidt, Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa, opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Photo/RNZ Pacific/123RF/Samoa Government/FAST Party.

It took until July for the incumbent, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, to concede.

Fiame went to school and university in Wellington, New Zealand, but her studies were interrupted in 1977 when she returned to Samoa to help with court cases around the succession of her father's titles following his death in '75.

In 1985, she was elected as MP for Lotofaga, the same seat held by her father and then her mother after his death.

This article was first published by RNZ. This story has been edited for accuracy.