Samoa’s Prime Minister Elect, Hon Laaulialemalietoa has received congratulatory phone calls and notes from the Prime Ministers of Samoa’s closest development partners of the region, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
New Zealand Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon posted on X:
“Congratulations Prime Minister-Elect La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt for your success in Samoa’s election..”
Prime Minister Luxon referred to talking with Laaulialemalietoa on Saturday afternoon “about our countries’ enduring friendship.”
“I look forward to building a more secure and prosperous Pacific region.”
New Zealand 🇳🇿 sets the overall budget for its International Development Cooperation Programme on a three-yearly basis, known as a triennium.
New Zealand’s allocation for Samoa for the period 2024-2027, is $151 million including direct budget support.
Australia 🇦🇺
“A message e fa’amalo atu ai, to Samoaʻs next Prime Minister, lau Susuga Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt.”
The FAST Party secured victory with 31 of Samoa’s 51 Parliamentary seats, paving the way for leader Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt to form Samoa’s next government.
Long serving former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi’s HRPP secured 14 seats while Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister, Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa’s Samoa Uniting Party won just 3 seats. Three Independents make up the 51 seats o le Palemene o Samoa.
The final count for Samoa’s elections was completed on Thursday and the Electoral Commissioner returned the writ of elections to the Head of State, on Friday 5 September.
On the same day, the Head of State of Samoa issued the Warrant of Election with the names of the 51 elected members of parliament.
Parliament is expected to convene this Friday, 12 September where Laaulialemalietoa as leader of the FAST Party shall be sworn in as Samoa’s Prime Minister.
The National budget would be a high priority for the new Administration, with Samoa currently on a 25% basic budget since 1 July 2025.
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