• May 26, 2021
WELLINGTON, New Zealand Samoa was plunged into a constitutional crisis Monday when the woman who won an election last month was locked out of Parliament and the previous leader claimed he remained in charge.
The fast-moving events marked the latest twist in a bitter power struggle that has been playing out in the small Pacific nation since it elected its first female leader. Not only is Samoa s peace and stability at stake, but also its relationship with China.
On Monday morning, Prime Minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and her supporters showed up at parliament to form a new government, but were not allowed inside.
Last modified on Wed 26 May 2021 17.08 EDT
Good morning. Coronavirus continues to dominate local and international headlines, as Victoria contemplates strict measures once again, and US intelligence probes the pandemicâs origins.
Victoria appears set to re-enter lockdown, with leading ministers from the state government to meet this morning to discuss its response, as the Melbourne Covid-19 cluster grows to at least 15. As the outbreak prompts a surge in Victorians getting vaccinated, the Australian Medical Association has called for any Australian approved for overseas travel to be forced to have a vaccine, in a bid to reduce the threat from Covid and to incentivise vaccination. The federal cabinet approved the fast-tracking of vaccines for Australians given permission for travel earlier this month, but on a voluntary basis. More than 144,000 Australians have been given permission to leave since the pandemic begun, but around 40,000 remain stranded overseas due to caps on qua
Samoa faces political crisis as Prime Minister-elect blocked from Parliament, caretaker PM accused of holding onto power
A political crisis is unfolding in Samoa as its elected prime minister is locked out of Parliament, while the former leader defies election results to claim his party still holds power. 25 May 2021
Samoa has been plunged into fresh political turmoil, with two rival political leaders claiming they are prime minister of the Pacific nation.Â
It comes after the majority FAST party, that was expected to form a new government for the first time in almost four decades on Monday, was blocked from entering Parliament this morning to begin the swearing-in process.