Parliament rejects motion of no confidence in PM & Cabinet 34 to 14

Apia, Samoa – 25 February 2025 – Parliament this morning rejected the motion of no-confidence moved by the Opposition Leader against the Prime Minister and Cabinet by 34 against, 14 for with 1 who abstained.

The motion was based on communications by the FAST Party to the Speaker, the Head of State, Prime Minister and Opposition Leader that expressed lack of confidence in Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa’s leadership.

Speaking on his motion, HRPP Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said confidence issues in Samoa’s parliament are not new as twice had governments in 1982 and 1985 replaced having lost the confidence of parliament.

He also said that the current split in the government’s ranks and leadership require a motion to put the question to the test.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa said none of the factions in parliament command a majority and that the notion of minority rule is nothing new. She said she has 15 MPs in Cabinet, 18 for the parliamentary Opposition Party and 20 now claiming the FAST Party under a new leadership.

The FAST Party Leader Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao asked the Opposition leader to postpone their motion as parliament need to focus on passing critical legislations including the Lands and Titles Court with over 100 appeal cases still being held up and awaiting the Act that need to be passed.

However, he gave Fiame an ultimatum that the party has lost confidence in her leadership and that the party will propose its own vote of no confidence if Fiame refuses to resign by the end of the current parliamentary session.

Tuilaepa rejected Laauli’s request and said that his motion will proceed to the vote.

Despite the obvious split in the FAST Party ranks with the 20 MPs in the party trademark red, and the 14 in black, 34 MPs reject the motion, 14 in support and one Opposition MP abstained.

After the morning break, parliament went directly into the second reading of the amendments to the Land and Titles Court Act 2025 which is expected to be passed in the current session.

The current session is also expected to pass a constitutional amendment that require a two thirds majority in parliament.