Samoa is heading to new general elections after Parliament yesterday voted against the 2025/2026 budget tabled by the government of Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa by a vote of 36-16.
Under the Constitution, elections must be held within three months after Parliament is dissolved.
Fiame told Parliament that the only hurdle facing the country is the reregistration of voters, which is “only 52 percent complete.”
“This will have a bearing on the timing for elections,” she said.
She warned new elections may take longer than the three-month constitutional requirement.
The budget was defeated when the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi faction, led by chairman Laauli Leuatea Schmidt, supported a motion moved by Human Rights Protection Party deputy leader Fonotoe Lauofo Fonotoe rejecting the budget.
Fiame announced after the budget defeat she will advise the Head of State to formally dissolve Parliament and set a date for new general elections.
She and her Cabinet are now in caretaker government mode.
Photo: Parliament of Samoa
