Samoa Votes for Change – Elects New Leader

By Lance Polu/

Apia, Samoa – 30 August 2025 – The Samoan people have voted for change and have elected a new Leader, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi bringing in a red sea of change – the FAST Party’s gallant colours.

Unofficial preliminary results from yesterday’s national elections had FAST with 31 seats, the Opposition HRPP – 14, Samoa United Party (SUP) 3 and 3 Independents.

Caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi were re-elected with huge margins while the Speaker, Papalii Lio Taeu Masipa’u lost his seat to and old HRPP rival.

Except for Fiame and cabinet minister Leatinu’u Wayne Sooialo, who was elected unopposed after a legal challenge, most of cabinet lost their seats.

The 42 independents who were touted to make a pivotal power change, managed to pull in four, with one who campaigned as a FAST candidate.

Five women came through and activating the 10% requirement will depend on the outcome of the final count.

The people have spoken
Speaking from his constituency’s home seat at Sasina village last night, Laauli said democracy has prevailed and won once again.

“The Samoan people have spoken and expressed their choice of our political leaders and party to lead our beautiful country in the next five years,” he said.

“The spirit of our God, His Peace and Love has prevailed and brought us to this significant hour and moment, this evening, when our people have made their choice through our Lord’s guiding Spirit.”

Then he congratulated the FAST candidates who won their seats “for your courage, belief and determination as we stayed the course together during the Roadshows during the campaign.”

There was an emotional moment when he acknowledged his district as the founding “heir” of the FAST Party when he resigned from parliament in 2020 and was re-elected in the ensuing by-election as the founding member of the Party in parliament.

He also acknowledged and thanked the FAST Party supporters, both in Samoa and those who showed a huge commitment by travelling over to vote, and to the supporters watching and listening from around the world.

Peoples Clear Choice 
“Tonight’s results are provisional, and the final count is coming up next week. But there is at least a clear choice shown by the voters tonight.”

Then he called for harmony after somewhat “painful” times due to the words uttered during the campaign.

“It is up to us now, the political leaders our people have elected, to put our efforts together, restore harmony and cohesion in our society and communities, and focus on building and developing our beloved paradise…Samoa,” he said.

Supporters’ early morning welcome
As the election progressed, an expecting but determined group of supporters both from Samoa and overseas were building up the FAST headquarters at Maota Samoa, Vaitele. As the results flowed in, there was dancing and cheering with every preliminary result favour a FAST majority to rule.

Listening and cheering to their leader’s speech livestreamed from Sasina, the numbers continued to build up, especially when told that Laauli and the winning candidates from Savaii are travelling over on the 1100 PM ferry.

By-passing Mulifanua and heading directly to Apia, Laauli and entourage arrived at a noisy and cheerful welcome by the supporters at headquarters at 2.30am.

Despite the hour, first was thanksgiving prayers then Deputy Party Chairman, Toelupe Maoiautele Pou Onesemo welcome the Leader addressing him as the incoming Prime Minister and FAST Government leader, to the supporters’ cheers.

In acknowledging the supporters and the winning FAST candidates present, he said that FAST has achieved what it aimed for, to secure a number for it to govern without relying on other parties.

“We did it together, with God’s guidance and grace.”

The Party is organising an inter-denominational Thanksgiving Church service on Sunday evening, then a traditional meeting and Ava Ceremony to acknowledge all the party supporters and their contribution to the election result.

The work to place and organize a new government is already progressing especially that the party’s Deputy Leader and founding member, Leota Laki Sio lost his seat at the Palauli 2 constituency. Despite this, the seat is secure as two other FAST candidates are only 2 votes apart in first and second place.