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Samoa - Politics

Key Facts

  • Last Elections: March 2006
  • Next Elections: 2011
  • Head of State: Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi (2007–)
  • Head of Government: Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
  • Ruling Party: Human Rights Protection Party
  • Independence: 1 January 1962

There is a party political system, the main parties being the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) and the Samoa National Development Party (SNDP). In the 1991 elections, the HRPP, led by Tofilau Eti Alesana, won 30 of the 49 seats in the Fono.

At the elections in April 1996, the HRPP was again returned. Tofilau retained his position as prime minister and minister for foreign affairs with the support of 34 votes out of the 49-member legislature.

In July 1997, by act of parliament, the country changed its name from Western Samoa to Samoa. This change had been under discussion for some time, but was delayed by awareness of the sensitivities of American Samoa which, in the end, offered no opposition.

In November 1998 Tofilau resigned as prime minister; he became senior minister without portfolio and his deputy and finance minister, Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, succeeded him. Tofilau had been prime minister from 1982 to 1985 and from 1988 to 1998. He was 74 and had had problems with his health for several years. In March 1999 he died.

In January 2000, a memorandum of understanding was signed with American Samoa for mutual assistance on trade, health, education, agriculture and policing.

In the general election in March 2001, the ruling HRPP – with 24 seats – won more seats than any other party, but was nonetheless challenged by the combined strength of the United Independents (11 seats) and the SNDP (13). On the resumption of parliament, however, Tuila’epa was re-elected as prime minister and enough independents joined the HRPP to give it an absolute majority.

The general election in March 2006 saw a return to power of the HRPP, increasing its number of seats to 33 with gains from both Samoa Democratic United Party (formerly SNDP, with ten seats) and independents (six seats).

Malietoa Tanumafili II, head of state since independence in January 1962, died in May 2007 aged 94. According to the constitution, in June 2007 the Fono elected Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi as his successor for a five-year term.

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