Samoa Schedules Quick Election for Aug. 29

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    NEWCASTLE, Australia — In a surprising political upheaval, Samoa will hold elections on August 29, a full six months ahead of schedule. The accelerated timeline follows the collapse of Prime Minister Fiam? Naomi Mata’afa’s government, which fell after losing a budget vote in parliament last month.

    Fiam?, who made history in 2021 as the first woman to serve as prime minister of Samoa, ended an era of dominance by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) that had lasted four decades. She now finds herself in a complex political battle with ramifications that extend well beyond Samoa’s shores.

    As the election looms, it coincides with a period of intensified geopolitical interest in the South Pacific region. Samoa is considered a strategic ally in the ongoing struggle for influence between China and traditional powers such as Australia and the United States. Meanwhile, climate change poses a grave threat to the islands, home to 200,000 citizens, due to their vulnerability to rising sea levels.

    Earlier this year, Fiam?’s FAST party encountered internal strife when she dismissed party chairman La’auli Leuatea Polataivao from her cabinet over criminal allegations, leading to a split in party ranks. Despite surviving two votes of no confidence, she could not overcome a coalition of former FAST members and HRPP, which opposed her budget, resulting in the decision for an early election.

    Presently, Fiam? is at the helm of the new Samoa Uniting Party as she contests the election against her former political mentor Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi of HRPP, and La’auli who is now the leader of a rejuvenated FAST. The Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa II, confirmed the election date on Tuesday after the country’s Supreme Court dismissed pleas for more time to prepare.