Tuimalealiifano Va aletoa Sualauvi II
Photo: Samoa govt
Last night the Head of State went against a Supreme Court ruling for parliament to meet by today at the latest.
The developments are the latest chapter of a political and constitutional crisis in Samoa which began after the elections in April.
The FAST party won the election by a slim majority but the rival HRPP remains in a caretaker role, insisting that the parliament must have six seats for women.
Only five women were elected and Tuimalealiifano said this has to be taken into account. The constitutionally guaranteed seat of the additional woman member in parliament in accordance with Article 44 (1A) of the constitution of Samoa has not been activated yet although the Court of Appeal has confirmed that a sixth woman member is mandatory.
05/07/2021
Watch: Political commentator Mata afa Keni Lesa spoke to The AM Show on Monday about the latest election developments. Credits: Image - The AM Show, RNZ, Newshub; Video - The AM Show
A political commentator is urging the international community to get involved and for a politician to be dragged out of office as a new development emerges in Samoa s battle for power.
Political commentator Mata afa Keni Lesa spoke to The AM Show on Monday almost two months after FAST Party broke a month-long deadlock from the April election to claim a majority of seats in Parliament. This is a country which this morning has woken up to a new development, Lesa said.
Samoa election turmoil: Court ruling rejected by head of state stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Samoan PM, Tuila epa Sa ilele Malielegaoi
Photo: Samoa Govt
Tuila epa claims the judiciary is over-reaching its powers, and
Talamua online reports him saying one arm of government should not be Hitler-like in asserting its authority over another.
He continues to maintain parliament cannot meet until election petitions and by-elections are held and it is ensured there are six women parliamentarians.
Should parliament not meet on Monday as directed, the Supreme Court is expected to revisit the Doctrine of Necessity, under which the majority FAST party had sworn in its MPs because they were illegally barred from entering parliament.
This could lead to that swearing-in being declared valid.
She says political stability is needed now. We have the financial year around the corner, we have a few members of parliament and ministers who were voted out in the last elections and are still getting paid, we have new members that were voted in and are not getting paid and we have the public service who are unsure who to listen to. They should have been specific with a date and not just say within seven days, that has happened before and nothing came out of it. With the court order finalised, the Head of State Tuimalealiifano Va aletoa Sualauvi II needs to make an announcement and agree on a date for parliament to convene.