Politics of Samoa

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Politics of Samoa takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Samoa is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the Fono. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Contents

1 Executive branch

1.1 System of Government

2 Judicial System
3 Political history

3.1 Timeline of the Road to Independence
3.2 Modern political history

4 Political parties and elections
5 Administrative divisions
6 International organization participation
7 External links

Executive branch

The 1960 Constitution, which formally came into force with independence, is based on the British pattern of parliamentary democracy, modified to take account of Samoan customs. Two of Samoa's paramount chiefs (Tama Aiga) at the time of independence were given lifetime appointments to jointly hold the office of head of state while a third became its first Prime Minister. Malietoa Tanumafili II has held the post of Head of State alone since the death of his colleague in 1963. His eventual successor will be selected by the legislature for a five-year term. At the time the Constitution was adopted it was anticipated that future Heads of State would be chosen from among the high chiefs. However, this is not required by the Constitution and for this reason Samoa is considered a republic rather than a monarchy. The prime minister is chosen by a majority in the Fono and is appointed by the head of state to form a government. The prime minister's preferred cabinet of 12 is appointed and sworn in by the head of state, subject to the continuing confidence of the Fono.

System of Government

The unicameral legislature, named the Fono Aoao Faitulafono (National Legislative Assembly) contains 49 members serving five-year terms. Forty-seven are elected from territorial districts by ethnic Samoan districts; the other two are chosen by the Samoan citizens of non-Samoan origin on a separate electoral roll. Universal suffrage was extended in 1990, but only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to the Samoan seats. There are more than 25,000 matai in the country, about 5% of whom are women.

Judicial System

The judicial system is based on English common law and local customs. The Supreme Court is the court of highest jurisdiction. Its chief justice is appointed by the chief of state upon the recommendation of the prime minister.

Political history

Timeline of the Road to Independence

Until about 1860 - Ruled by Tribal Chiefs known as Matai.
1860 - 1889 Ruled by Matai, directed by American, British and German consuls.
1889 - 1899 governed conjointly by "Three Power Pact" signed in Berlin in 1899.
1889 - 1914 Western Samoa becomes a German Colony; Eastern Samoa becomes an American Territory.
1914 - 1920 Western Samoa occupied by New Zealand Expeditionary Force when WW I starts.
1920 - 1946 Western Samoa held and administered by NZ under League of Nations Mandate.
1946 - 1962 Western Samoa administered by NZ under direction of UN Trusteeship Council.
1953 - NZ offers progessive plan towards self government and the first Executive Council is established.
1954 - The Constitutional Convention accepts the NZ plan for self government.
1956 - A New Executive Council established, the Fono of Faipule is abolished, Legislative Assembly reorganized and enlarged.
1958 - NZ Reparation Estates are handed over to Samoan control and renamed Western Samoan Trust Estates Corporation.
1960 - The Constitutional Convention with 174 delegates (including ten expatriates) begins process of independence.
1961 - Adult Samoans vote overwhelmingly in a UN sponsored plebiscite to become independent.
January 1, 1962 - Western Samoa becomes an independent sovereign state.

Modern political history

Since 1982, the majority party in the Fono has been the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). HRPP leader Tofilau Eti Alesana served as prime minister for nearly all of the period between 1982 and 1998, when he resigned due to health reasons. Tofilau Eti was replaced by his deputy, Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi.

Parliamentary elections were held in March 2001. The Human Rights Protection Party, led by Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi, won 30 of the 49 seats in the current Fono. The Samoa Democratic United Party, led by Le Mamea Ropati, is the main opposition. Other political parties are the Samoa Party, the Christian Party, and the Samoa Progressive Political Party. The next elections are scheduled for March 31, 2006

Political parties and elections

The following election results include names of political parties. See for additional information about parties the List of political parties in Samoa. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Samoa.

The Samoa Democratic United Party (formed after the 2001 elections) bringing together the Samoa National Development Party and the Samoa Independent Party) is led by the long serving Member of Parliament, Hon. Le Mamea Ropati Mualia. Other parties include(d) the Samoan Progressive Conservative Party, the Samoa All People's Party, and the Samoa Liberal Party.

Administrative divisions

Samoa is divided in 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano.

International organization participation

ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIFS, Sparteca, SPC, SOPAC, SPREP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

External links

[The Parliament of Samoa - Official website]

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