The Whys? And What Nows? Of The Samoan Crisis thedailyblog.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thedailyblog.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The office of the attorney-general is asking for the disqualification of the presiding judges of the hearing due to their attendance at parliament on Monday.
FAST Party Lawyer Dismisses Claims of Swearing in as Illegal
Samoa s first female prime minister was locked out of parliament by the country s outgoing leader - but still sworn into office in a makeshift ceremony held inside a tent.
Source: news.sky.com Wednesday, 26 May 2021 09:33 AM
The lawyer acting for the FAST party in Samoa has rejected claims that the swearing in of the party s Fiame Naomi Mata afa as Prime Minister on Monday, in a tent outside of Parliament, was unlawful and unconstitutional.
When asked by Pacific Beat what she made of the claims by Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who s been Samoa s Prime Minister for more than 20 years, she responded with “bah humbug”.
Samoa faces political crisis as Prime Minister-elect blocked from Parliament, caretaker PM accused of holding onto power
A political crisis is unfolding in Samoa as its elected prime minister is locked out of Parliament, while the former leader defies election results to claim his party still holds power. 25 May 2021
Samoa has been plunged into fresh political turmoil, with two rival political leaders claiming they are prime minister of the Pacific nation.Â
It comes after the majority FAST party, that was expected to form a new government for the first time in almost four decades on Monday, was blocked from entering Parliament this morning to begin the swearing-in process.
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But in a late night decision over the weekend, current head of state Tuimaleali ifano Va aleto a Sualauvi II canceled Monday s parliamentary sitting without explanation, New Zealand national broadcaster Radio New Zealand reported.
Although Samoa s Supreme Court ruled Sunday that the order cancelling the parliamentary sitting was unlawful, FAST arrived at Parliament on Monday to find the doors locked, according to RNZ. I think a coup would be accurate, FAST spokesman Lance Apulu told RNZ when asked to describe Monday s events. Bloodless, but they are actually coups.
FAST went ahead with the swearing-in ceremony on Monday in a tent, RNZ reported, although it is unclear how legitimate those proceedings will be. Monday was the final possible day a new parliament can be formed under the constitution.