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But his Human Rights Protection party (HRPP) faces a formidable challenge at the polls as he faces off against his former deputy prime minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, daughter of Samoaâs first prime minister and the leader of Faâatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (Fast).
The competition has resulted in aggressive campaigning by both parties and a strong response by members of the public, on the ground and online.
Fast has pushed its messages directly to villages, erecting billboards throughout the country. Diaspora communities have raised more than US$500,000 for the party.
In response, Malielegaoi has used his weekly radio interviews to campaign on changes he has made in the two decades he has been in charge of the country.
Samoa’s ruling party faces strongest election challenge in 20 years Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson
Samoa’s ruling party will face its strongest challenge in 40 years as the small South Pacific country goes to the polls on Friday.
After 22 years in the top job, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi is the second-longest serving prime minister in the world (second to Cambodia’s Hun Sen at 36 years).
But his Human Rights Protection party (HRPP) faces a formidable challenge at the polls as he faces off against his former deputy prime minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, daughter of Samoa’s first prime minister and the leader of Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (Fast).