By Staff Writer
A Fa’atuatua lle Atua Samoa Ua Tasi, FAST, Member of Parliament has firmly confirmed the ruling party is split up.
One group is with the Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, and the other is in support of former Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt.
The MP on assurances from Newsline Samoa that he will not be named, said a party caucus meeting is being called tonight.
There are strong doubts of PM Fiame attending, from the MP’s angry tone, when asked about the point of the meeting and if it will mend the breakup.
“The problem here is trying to fix one wrong with another wrong,” the MP blurted angrily at the issue behind the crumpling party unity.
Parliament is called to session next week on Tuesday, 21 January 2025, and what lies ahead for the future of the FAST Government will be revealed there.
The political front is already riddled with public speculations as to where the uncertainties of the FAST Government leadership will end.
The calling of early general elections appears to be the main talking point in close political circles.
Chances of a Coalition Government is being strongly contemplated as well.
It is seen as the better option for the country to ensure stability while running out the time remaining, of about a year and a half left, before the 2026 general elections.
The FAST party division when PM Fiame terminated the Cabinet portfolio for Agriculture and Fisheries under La’auli Leuatea Schmidt, who is also the governing party chairman.
Laauli is being charged by the police with several criminal charges of conspiracy, linked to the still unsolved death of a young man at Vaitele a while back.
He has denied the charges and a court hearing is set on the matte.
PM Fiame wanted to allow the course of law to run and decided to strip Laauli of his Cabinet portfolio.
The former Minister and his supporters inside the party are not happy with the PM’s decision.