The Human Rights Protection Party won the Samoan elections, but the Tautua Samoa Party proved a worthy opponent throughout the voting.
For some, the Tautua Party was more victorious than HRPP. As a first time runner, Tautua snapped up 13 seats from HRPP candidates, and dominated in the Salega district, winning both seats over the HRPP.
The HRPP won 29 seats and the seven elected Independents are expected to side with them, giving them 36 seats in total.
Though the margin is wide, Tautua's 13 seats put them in the powerful position of an officially recognised opposition in the House - something that was missing in the Samoan Parliament in the last term.
Le'apai Asofou So'o, professor of the National University of Samoa and author of the book Democracy and Custom in Samoa, said Tautua brought in a balance of power.
"Tautua probably has a good chance of improving on the numbers in the next elections," he said.
"The people they have now are highly educated and qualified people, which is an important element in the growth of democracy in Samoa."
Powerful influence
Although the results were a far cry from the prediction made by HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi who said HRPP would win 40 or more seats out of 49 in Parliament, HRPP maintains a powerful influence over the people of Samoa.
"In terms of HRPP retaining government, retaining 36 seats again, it's a fair reflection of the mood of the country and support for HRPP," Le'apai said.
The loss of more than half of HRPP's former candidates, including three former ministers, is not a surprise to leader Tuilaepa, who is a seasoned politician.
He told Samoan media that HRPP members in power "need to pull their socks up" if they want to stay in power.
But Tuilaepa may have been the reason for the increase popularity of Tautua.
According to Mata'afa Keni Ramese Lesa, editor of the Samoa Observer, locals are tired of the "antics" of the Prime Minister.
"People are not necessarily against HRPP, but they certainly do not like the Prime Minister," he said.
"That's the biggest downfall for HRPP, that the leader is not gaining in popularity, and that his actions and words are doing them a great disservice."
Tuilaepa however is pleased to have Tautua as an opposition in the House.
"We need a vocal opposition," he told Samoan media.
There is no doubt that Tautua is willing to provide it.
President of Tautua Party, Vaelua Eti Alesana, the son of former Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana, who was the founder of HRPP, says Tautua will make the most out of the winning candidates.
"Samoa needed this opposition," Vaelua said.
'Not the same HRPP'
His sister, Gatoloaifaana Amataga Gidlow, is a HRPP front-runner and a former Minister of Health.
Asked why he has decided to go against HRPP, he said: "It is not the same HRPP my father founded, it has changed under the leadership of Tuilaepa."
The 13 winning Tautua candidates are all highly qualified professionals, whom Vaelua says will make a very powerful opposition in Parliament.
Le'apai said more might be needed.
"I think Tautua is very pleased with the number that they have," he said.
"The 13 there who are highly qualified, they will be vocal. However, in terms of effective opposition, 20 to 23 would have been better."
According to Le'apai, the election of highly qualified professionals into Parliament signals a shift in Samoa's Parliament.
Times changing
"This is good for the development of Samoa as a nation, to have relatively young people with titles, who are very professional and highly educated at the same time," he said.
He said that times have changed in Samoan politics.
"Before that we had highly ranked chiefs, highly respected in their constituency but they did not have the education that the new crop coming in now have," he said.
"That's a change in the political landscape in Samoa."
Winners from Tautua include a former judge, a former coach of Manu Samoa, and an environmentalist, while HRPP has a host of former chief executives in their midst.
HRPP will now focus its energy on selecting the cabinet ministers for the next five years.
Among the selection will be a new deputy prime minister to replace Misa Telefoni who chose not to run this year.
Most likely it will be one of the senior members of HRPP which include Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, Tuisugaletaua Aveau or Faumuina Liuga from Savai'i.
With any luck, Samoa may have its first female deputy prime minister this year.
Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson
