WHERE TO NEXT : Moment to ponder for the HRPP opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi with the leadership of PM Fiame Naomi Mataafa in question.
By Staff Writer
Early general elections or a coalition party Government are options in store for Parliament to determine when called into session next week.
Both the Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, agree to the need for political stability in Samoa.
The split in PM Fiame’s ruling party, Fa’atuatua Ile Atua Ua Tasi Samoa, FAST, has left her leadership in serious doubt.
Party loyalties went into a spin when the PM dismissed from Cabinet as Minister of Agriculture the FAST chairman, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt.
Reports have since circulated that the sacked Minister has the support of the party majority and may call to remove PM Fiame in a vote of no confidence in Parliament.
A coalition, however, between the supporters of the Government leader and the opposition Human Rights Protection Party could prevent that with their combined winning numbers.
Opposition leader Tuilaepa is open to talks with the PM who has no objections also to a get together which has to happen in the next few days.
Tuilaepa has played down any commitment to a ruling party coalition by reflecting on an agreement he signed in good faith with that PM that went sour.
“We signed an agreement on 26 July 2021 to withdraw in good faith all legal matters both sides filed after the general elections, but it ended up with myself and our party secretary Lealailepule, in court on related charges,” Tuilaepa recalled.
He did look back also to the promise of support by the HRPP members he assured the PM when she took up office.
“I personally pledged our 500 percent support to Fiame’s leadership when we accepted our role as the Government opposition party.”
Tuilaepa underlined the opposition party role as the ‘alternative Government’ ready to step in and continue with the leadership if or when needed.
As former Government leader who served as Prime Minister for more than 20 years, he felt that the current Parliament is in a difficult position.
“Government cannot move forward if there is no unity in Parliament, it’ll have a major effect on the national economy.
“The issue now is a question of power and survival for Government.”
The road ahead for PM Fiame’s hold on the leadership reins of Government, now appears to depend on a coalition lifeline to the HRPP opposition party.
Otherwise a return to general elections is next up.