APIA: The ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) has retained power in preliminary results of the weekend’s general election in Samoa but the united opposition Tautua Samoa Party has given the nation’s political landscape a shake-up, Pacific Scoop reports.
Three government ministers have been defeated – Justice Minister Unasa Mesi Galo, Communications Minister Safuneituuga Paga Neri and Eduation Minister Toomata Poese Alapati Toomata.
The HRPP appears to have won 29 seats – but can count on 7 independents who are expected to support the ruling party – to give it an outright majority while Tautua Samoa Party has gained 13.
In the outgoing Parliament, HRPP held 35 of the 49 parliamentary seats.
The Tautua Samoa challenge has been spearheaded by former judge Lefau Harry Schuster who easily defeated senior HRPP MPs to claim one of two Vaimauga West seats.
Lefau was the first to publicly announce he was running for Parliament and, according to the Samoa Observer, had shocked many by joining the opposition.
He said at the time that the country needed a strong opposition as the HRPP had been in power for 28 years.
“He gained a lot of respect and support for his bold stance,” the Observer said. “Yesterday that support turned to reality.”
‘Winning feels good’
“Whatever the result I would have felt good,” Lefau said. “But I tell you what, winning certainly feels good.
“It’s a win for the people whose hard work and belief put me in. I take my hat off to my committee, they have done an amazing amount of work over the past many months and it’s their work that got me in.”
HRPP leader Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who is expected to be re-elected prime minister next week, has been humbled by his reduced majority.
Radio New Zealand International’s Megan Whelan reported from Apia that Tuila’epa said “his party will listen to the opposition, despite having a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The opposition says it intends to be the strong opposition Tuilaepa has been asking for for many years.”
Only two women candidates won seats – Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Gatoloaifaana Amataga Gidlow. - Pacific Scoop/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
