FAST Party Leaders Meet the Head of State

Will Samoa’s new Parliament meet before the 45 days are up by Monday 24 May 2021.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 18 MAY 2021: The Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi – FAST party leader, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa and a delegation of party members met with the Head of State this afternoon following yesterday’s Supreme Court decisions.

The decisions voided the appointment of a 6th woman Member of Parliament and also the proclamation by the Head of State to cancel the results of the 9 April 2021 general election and call for fresh elections this week.

In the meeting, Fiamē hand delivered a copy of the letter of the list of the 26 FAST MP’s and names of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

The party delegation had met the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly in the morning and handed over the same letter that confirms the 26 MPs as well as the appointed positions for a new government.

The constitution stipulates that the Head of State convene Parliament in 45 days after the general elections and Monday is the last day of the 45 days from the 9 April 2021 general elections.

Fiamē told the media, that they were following the process to confirm they have the numbers to form a government and it is now up to the Head of State to convene parliament before or by next Monday when the 45 dates is due.

Also late this afternoon, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour announced the cancellation of the two public holidays already declared for Thursday and Friday this week following the advice by the Office of the Electoral Commission to revoke it.

Yesterday’s decision of the Supreme Court declared void the proclamation for a new election saying the Head of State did not have the power to do so.