Samoas national election returns FAST party with new leader

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FILE PHOTO: Samoan Prime Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa speaks at a Welcome Reception and State Banquet at Apia Park during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Picture date: Thursday October 24, 2024. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS/File photo

SYDNEY - A national election in the Pacific island nation of Samoa has resulted in a resounding win for the incumbent FAST party, but will deliver a new leader, after Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa split from FAST before the poll.

Official results released by Samoas electoral commission on Friday showed that FAST, led by Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, won 30 out of the 50 seats contested. The new Samoa Uniting Party, formed by Fiame, won only three seats, including her own.

The opposition Human Rights Protection Party won 14 seats and independent candidates won four seats.

On Friday, Samoas head of state, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, issued a warrant confirming the names of the new lawmakers who will form Samoas next parliament.

Five women won seats. The Samoa Observer reported, that under a 10 percent minimum representation rule, at least six women must sit in parliament, necessitating the creation of an additional seat.

Fiame, Samoas first female leader, was expelled from FAST in January after she dismissed Laaulialemalietoa, the partys founder and chairman, from cabinet.

Laaulialemalietoa is expected to be sworn in as Samoas next prime minister. REUTERS