LEADERSHIP IN CRISIS : PM Fiame Naomi Mataafa insisting in her Thursday media conference that all is fine in the leadership ruling of Samoa.
By Staff Writer
All is fine in Samoa as far as the Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa is concerned.
The assurance comes at a time when the majority rule of law in Parliament is in shambles .
PM Fiame was unwavering when asked at her Thursday press conference, if she would call for early general elections since she does not have the majority numbers to rule.
“It is normal for Cabinet to continue to administer the running of Government in a situation similar to what we are in now but it is up to Parliament to decide going forward,” PM Fiame countered.
The Government leader admitted the current membership split in Parliament does not give majority numbers to any of the 3 factions.
Her FAST breakaway faction has 15, the Laauli FAST group has 20 and 18 for the HRPP opposition party.
“It is normal for Cabinet to run the Govt. with the tacit approval by other parties but the leader of the Govt. is required to inform the Head of State at the loss of any confidence in leadership.”
PM Fiame has, however, left the confidence in her leadership to the will of the Parliament vote in the coming sessions, including her Government’s new budget.
“If Parliament approval of the budget or any of the bills already tabled in the House for debate is rejected that serves as a no confidence vote on the current administration so we go back to elections.”
The Government leader believes it is a FAST party Government in place and despite the breakup they are still members of the party.
The PM’s leadership assurances is, however, heading directly into a major HRPP opposition party political cyclone involving alleged Constitutional violations.
Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, confirmed party members pulling out of all Parliamentary Committees they are appointed to in protest over current leadership concerns.
Tuilaepa in a Letter to the Editor to Newsline Samoa Online sets out in full detail the reaction of the opposition party to what is described a Constitutional Crises confronting the PM Fiame leadership.