PM should resign to resolve the current political uncertainty

Staff Reporters/

Apia, Samoa – 7 February 2025 – The most amicable way to resolve the current political uncertainty is for the Prime Minister to resign as she no longer commands the confidence of the majority of the FAST Party that instituted her as Prime Minister.

This was the view expressed by the FAST Party Leader Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao and FAST Party MP, Ale Vena Ale in a press conference this afternoon.

Laauli stated that the FAST Party currently has the majority of MPs in parliament to form and continue the business of government if Fiame does the decent thing to resign as Prime Minister.

He also corrected the Leader of the Opposition who has written to the Speaker that there are now three parties in parliament and that the government has collapsed and is dysfunctional.

HRPP said that it is seeking a court declaration on the legality of the minority now ruling government.

29 FAST MPs that can form a government
Laauli explained that there are 20 FAST MPs who wrote to express their loss of confidence in Fiame as Leader and Prime Minister and there are 9 in Cabinet who are still members of the FAST Party that makes it 29 MPs who can form a new government if Fiame resigns.

On 15 January, the FAST Caucus terminated Fiame, the Deputy Prime Minister and four senior Cabinet Ministers as members of the party.

According to Laauli, “This means that they do not belong to a political party which is a legal requirement for all MPs.”

The caucus did not terminate the rest of the nine Cabinet ministers and Laauli said that the party is working its way through the legal process to address the current situation.

Faleata 4 MP, Ale Vena Ale also emphasized that that the simplest solution to the current problem is for the Prime Minister to resign.

“Its her credibility that is on the line, and the most decent thing she should do is to step down as she no longer has the confidence of the party,” he stated.

Laauli reminded that the key issue was the party losing confidence in Fiame as leader and as Prime Minister.

Do not support a vote of no confidence
He reiterated the party’s view that they do not support a vote of confidence as the narrative pushed by the Opposition Party.

“Thats simply stupid, because that is likened to us killing ourselves, as we instituted the FAST government,” Laauli stated.

He said that the issue is with the party leadership and the loss of confidence in its leader and prime minister. He also emphasized that there is no need to level unnecessary burden and pressure on the country by going through a snap election.

Yesterday, Fiame told the media that they are still the legal and lawful government to rule and she read through a number of Cabinet decisions portraying the image of a government still functioning and operating.

Laauli however said so many laws have been passed by the HRPP governments in the past that have resulted in the current impasse.

“If she insists on the rule of law, then Fiame should look at herself and ask if she legally commands the confidence in order to remain as leader of government,” Laauli stated.

“Besides the law, it should be up to her conscience and integrity, and she should do the decent thing, to resign and for a new government to move in to continue and deliver what we promised the country before the 2021 elections.”

Asked if there is room for reconciliation, Laauli said that Fiame does not see that as an option. But he and the party are exploring all avenues to resolve the current political situation.

The party is calling a special meeting tomorrow, Saturday 8 February to discuss a way forward in addressing the current situation.