Daily Times
May 24, 2021
A rare Supreme Court Sunday sitting in Samoa has cleared the way for the Pacific island nation to hold a parliamentary session expected to confirm its first change of government in almost four decades.
The court overturned a late Saturday night announcement by head of state Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi that cancelled Monday’s historic parliamentary session without explanation.
His decision was challenged by the opposition FAST party, whose leader Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has the numbers to be installed as Samoa’s first female prime minister.
Following a meeting in chambers with FAST and the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese declared the head of state’s announcement was “unlawful”.
With the doors to the parliament kept locked, the party that won Samoa's election has decided to conduct its own ceremony outside to become the country's next Government.
Sapeer Mayron and Mandy Te05:00, May 25 2021
STUFF
Samoa has been in constitutional crisis and mired in controversy since its April 9 election.
APIA, Samoa – Samoa has entered uncharted constitutional and political waters, with a new government being sworn into office in a tent erected outside Parliament Buildings on Monday after the ousted government locked the doors in an attempt to thwart the transition of power. Although the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party was careful to be seen as following due process and the letter of the law, analysts say that the real test will come on Tuesday.
Samoa election turmoil: Fiame Naomi Mata'afa sworn in as new PM, FAST Party as government, in tent ceremony stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.