By Staff Writer
The Head of State has called to session the 17th Parliament of Samoa next Monday 24 May 2021.
His Highness, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II, made the proclamation Thursday 20 May 2021 for the House to meet at 9.30am on Monday morning.
The swearing in of 51 elected Members of Parliament will legally finalise the new Government after the run of legal delays since the general elections ended in a 26-seat deadlock.
The official results after the general elections last April gave 25-seats to the Human Rights Protection Party, HRPP, 24-seats to Fa’atuatua Samoa Ua Tasi, FAST, and 2-independents.
FAST leader Fiame Naomi Mataafa is legally an independent MP but will declare for her new political party at the swearing in.
Gagaemauga 1 new MP Tuala Ponifasio is the second independent and he too is already with the FAST camp.
Together with Fiame, they will provide the winning seats to the new party.
FAST and their supporters have been putting a lot of pressure on the Head of State these past few days to call the new Parliament to session.
The new political party has been on a winning streak in court with key rulings in their favour these past few days.
The Supreme Court ruling to void new General Elections called by the Head of State for Friday 21 May 2021 is one of the key wins.
An appeal of another ruling to void the election of a 6th woman MP ended today Friday with another FAST court win when application for a stay of execution was denied.
A HRPP win would have reverted the election results back to a 26-seat deadlock.
Law at work! Nobody can vary the constitution and the Law of the land. Congratulation and God’s speed for the new government.