Fiame Naomi Mata‘afa’s tumultuous tenure has ended. What’s next?
- Admin
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
By Asofou So'o and Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson
Apia--Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, Samoa's head of state, has officially dissolved Samoa’s Parliament, effective June 3, following the defeat of the government's 2025–2026 budget. This action, taken upon Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa's advice, signals the conclusion of her leadership and initiates the process for new general elections.
The budget bill's failure, with 34 votes against, 16 in favor and two abstentions, underscored the challenges faced by Fiame's minority government. The defeat was the culmination of the internal party conflicts and political instability that had plagued her administration in recent months.
Fiame's tenure as prime minister began in 2021, marking a historic moment as she became Samoa's first female head of government. Her leadership was characterized by a commitment to democratic principles and cautious engagement with foreign investments.
However, internal divisions within her Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party, including factions driven by the leader of the FAST party, La’auli Leuatea Polata'ivao, in January 2025, eroded her parliamentary support. Though she survived two no-confidence motions earlier this year, the budget's rejection proved insurmountable.
In a statement to the nation, Fiame acknowledged the parliamentary decision and confirmed that the Cabinet would continue in a caretaker capacity
until the formation of a new government. She also emphasised the importance of maintaining governmental functions and adherence to constitutional provisions during this transitional period.
The upcoming elections, mandated to occur within 90 days of the Parliament's dissolution, will determine the future direction of Samoa's leadership.
But how did Samoa get here? It brings to an end a tumultuous 2025.
For some context, the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), under the leadership of Tuila’epa Sailele Malielegaoi, had always harbored quiet disapproval of the FAST government.
The HRPP had always suspected that had it not been for the deliberate assistance of the court and its judiciary, whose decisions mostly favored FAST, the FAST party would never have been in government. They had in mind the initial decision of the Supreme Court on July 8, 2021, which declared the FAST government illegal and therefore void.
However, that decision was later overturned by the Court of Appeal on July 23, 2021, confirming the legitimacy of the FAST government as sworn in on May 24, 2021.
There were also controversial legal issues associated with the appointment of additional seats for women in compliance with Article 44(1A.a) of the Constitution.
Following the decision of the Court of Appeal on July 23, 2021, the HRPP remained vigilant in performing its opposition role in parliament. When the speaker refused to swear in the 18 HRPP members in the first session of parliament on Sept. 14, 2021, the HRPP contested the speaker’s decision in the Supreme Court and won.
When its leader and party secretary were suspended by parliament on May 24, 2022 for alleged contempt of parliament, they contested the decision in court and won again. The HRPP continued to press its case in the courts and in the media.
Undoubtedly, the defeat of Fiame’s budget was a great disappointment to Fiame and her cabinet as they were unable to complete the parliamentary term. There was so much hope and promise that the FAST government would deliver for a better Samoa, and after much criticism of Tuila’epa’s leadership and several government policies under his long prime ministerial tenure of over 20 years, it has ended abruptly in this way.
Many of the promises made to the voters in the campaign period leading up to the 2021 general election remain unfulfilled.
Fiame took up the prime ministerial position in an atmosphere of heightened euphoria as the first female to hold that position not only in Samoa but in the Pacific. She is the celebrated daughter of the first prime minister of Samoa, the first Pacific island nation to have emerged from the yoke of colonialism when it gained independence in January 1962.
However, with so much negative media publicity against Fiame and her cabinet as a minority government, to which La’auli and his FAST faction contributed, Fiame’s political image is greatly tarnished.
One of Fiame’s most significant achievements was the passage of the Constitution Amendment Act 2025, which aimed to reverse judicial changes made by the previous HRPP government.
Despite HRPP protests over the speaker's deciding vote, the Supreme Court upheld the law on May 9, 2025. That ruling is now under appeal, leaving its future uncertain.
Since the split between La’auli’s FAST faction and the Cabinet in January, La’auli has openly criticized Fiame’s leadership and the party’s direction, despite having supported many of the same decisions prior to his dismissal on Jan. 10, following police charges. These include allegations of conspiracy, fabricating evidence, harassment via electronic communication and defamation. His attacks on Fiame appear aimed at undermining her credibility while consolidating support for his faction ahead of the next election.
Widely regarded by his base as the founder and spiritual leader of FAST, La’auli has maintained strong grassroots backing, including from the Samoan diaspora in the U.S., New Zealand and Australia. Far from damaging his reputation, the criminal charges seem to have reinforced his status among supporters, somehow bolstering his image as a divinely favoured leader and potential future prime minister.
Uncertainty, however, clouds La’auli’s political fortunes. On May 26, the day before Fiame's budget was defeated in parliament, the court hearing relating to police allegations against him started in the district court. The result of that hearing will determine the future of La’auli’s political career.
Tuila’epa and the HRPP no doubt welcome the outcome of the past few days. Fiame's leadership and the FAST government’s overall hold on power have always been perceived as politically unjustified.
For many of Tuila’epa's supporters, the FAST government was certain to fall. It was just a matter of time.
The defeat of Fiame's budget ends abruptly what has always been a turbulent parliament. After having absorbed much criticism from both the HRPP and La’auli’s FAST faction, now acting like a pseudo-opposition, much damage to Fiame's leadership and political image has been inflicted.
Although she still enjoys strong support from her constituency, her chances of enjoying the same political support she had in the period leading up to and after the 2021 general election are deeply dented and her success will be difficult to repeat.
Gifted with oratorical eloquence and tested traditional leadership at the family, church, village and parliamentary levels, La’auli has always been able to weave his way out of challenging political situations.
Should he succeed in his current defence against the police lawsuit, his popularity will undoubtedly increase exponentially as he and his party prepare for the next general election later this year.
The result of the next general election will be interesting. Will the HRPP reclaim the mantle of power? Will Fiame have a second prime ministerial term under a different party? Will La’auli be the next prime minister?
This article appeared first on Devpolicy Blog (devpolicy.org), from the Development Policy Centre at The Australian National University.
Asofou So'o was the founding professor of Samoan studies at the National University of Samoa from 2004 before being appointed as vice chancellor and president of the university from 2009 to 2019. He is currently working as a consultant. Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson is a Samoan journalist with over 20 years of reporting on the Pacific Islands. She is the founding Editor in Chief of The New Atoll, a digital commentary magazine focusing on Pacific island geopolitics.
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