Samoa United in Faith
Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi
LeaderFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Deputy LeaderLa'auli Leuatea Polataivao[1]
Founded30 July 2020
Split fromHuman Rights Protection Party
IdeologyAnti-Land and Titles Bill
Christian democracy
Anti-corruption
Social conservatism[2]
Legislative Assembly
35 / 53
Website
www.fastparty.ws

Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST; English: Samoa United in Faith) is a political party in Samoa. It was founded by MP La'auli Leuatea Polataivao[3] and is currently led by Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.

Formation

The party was registered on 30 July 2020, and in August 2020 began announcing candidates for the 2021 Samoan general election.[4] It opposes controversial constitutional amendments proposed by the Human Rights Protection Party government of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, and supports a two term limit for the prime minister.[5] It also supports decentralising services to villages.[6]

On 28 August 2020, party leader La'auli Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt was re-elected to Parliament in the 2020 Gagaifomauga No. 3 by-election. Thus becoming the party’s first elected MP.[7][8][9]

On 2 September 2020, the party announced it would join forces with the Samoa National Democratic Party and Tumua ma Puleono parties to contest the 2021 election.[10] SNDP and Tumua ma Puleono candidates ran under the FAST banner, with only one candidate in each constituency.[11]

Following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa from Cabinet, the FAST party invited her to lead it. She declined, as she wished to complete the Parliamentary term.[12] On 13 January 2021 Mata'afa announced that she would be joining FAST after Parliament has risen for the election.[13][14] In March 2021 she was elected to lead FAST.[15]

2021 election

The party nominated 50 candidates for the 2021 election.[16] It engaged in online fundraising, and by 12 January had raised AUD$19,277 (WST$37,102.18) via Australian crowdfunding site MyCause.[17] In January 2021 it began an "election roadshow",[18] Prime Minister Tuilaepa denounced the roadshow as a "foreign practice",[19] and encouraged his supporters to gatecrash FAST events to counter the party's "brainwashing".[20]

On 13 January 2021, former Prime Minister and O le Ao o le Malo (Head of State) Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi publicly backed the party.[21]

On 29 January, the party revealed that it had begun talks with the Tautua Samoa Party to form a "grand coalition" to oust the government.[22]

Preliminary results from the 2021 election showed the party winning 25 seats in parliament.[23] Independent MP Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio later joined the FAST Party, bringing their total to 26.[24][25][26] Defeated Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi refused to leave office, leading to the 2021 Samoan constitutional crisis. The crisis was resolved by Samoa's Court of Appeal on 23 July 2021, which ruled that FAST had been the government since 24 May.[27]

2021 by-elections

The party nominated candidates to contest all seven electorates up for by-elections caused by resignations and convictions on bribery and treating. The FAST caucus retained its narrow 26 seat majority in the Fono during this period, whilst the HRPP’s seat count fell from 25 to 18.[28] Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Papali’i Li’o Taeu Masipau announced that the by-elections would commence on 12 November, but the date was later shifted to 26 November.[29][30]

FAST began campaigning on 23 October, utilising campaign strategies such as roadshows, as the party had done in the April general election.[31]

Results

A week before the election, Fuiono Tenina Crichton, FAST's candidate for the Falealupo electorate, challenged the eligibility of his HRPP opponent Tuitogamanaia Peniamina Junior Leavai in court.[32][33] The court ruled in Fuiono’s favour resulting in the disqualification of Tuitogamanaia's candidacy. Fuiono was subsequently elected unopposed.[34][35]

The party also secured the Aleipata-i-Lalo electorate, resulting in former Manu Samoa rugby coach Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua's entry to Parliament.[36] The Sagaga No. 4 seat also went to FAST, with Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa securing a landslide victory over his HRPP opponent.[37] Overall preliminary results indicated that the party had secured four out of the six electorates up for a by-election (excluding Falealupo), with the Safata No. 2 and Falealili No. 2 seats going to FAST.[38] Official results confirmed this, and the new MPs were sworn in on 14 December 2021. The addition of five MPs to the FAST caucus gave the party a more comfortable majority. It also eliminated the opposition HRPP's efforts to gain a majority in the 17th Parliament, using a potential deadlock to call for new polls.[39][40][41] One of these seats would again fall vacant the following year with the death of Va'ele Pa'ia'aua Iona Sekuini on 25 March 2022.[42] He was succeeded by Fo'isala Lilo Tu'u Ioane who, was elected as an independent but later joined FAST.[43]

Electoral performance

Legislative Assembly

Election Votes  % Seats +/– Rank Government
2021 32,510 36.6
25 / 51
 New Steady 2nd Majority

Leadership

Leader Portrait Took office Left office Time in office
La'auli Leuatea Polataivao 30 July 2020 9 March 2021 222 days
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa 9 March 2021 Incumbent 2 years, 312 days

References

  1. ↑ "Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi".
  2. ↑ Aualiitia, Tahlea (14 April 2021). "Undecided Samoan election deadlocked as opposition FAST party, boosted by diaspora, exceeds expectations – ABC News". ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  3. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (30 July 2020). "F.A.S.T. political party officially registers". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  4. ↑ "Bus driver heeds heavenly whisper, stands for Parliament". Samoa Observer. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  5. ↑ "FAST Aims to Limit the PM's Term in Office". Talanei. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  6. ↑ "New Samoan party calls for limit on terms for PM". RNZ. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  7. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (18 August 2020). "La'auli declared by-election winner". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  8. ↑ "Former Speaker tops prelim results in Samoan by-election". RNZ. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  9. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (28 August 2020). "La'auli opens new political chapter". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  10. ↑ Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson (2 September 2020). "Samoa's ruling party faces new threat – after nearly 40 years in power". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  11. ↑ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (2 September 2020). "Parties join forces ahead of General Election". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  12. ↑ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia – Ah Tong (13 September 2020). "Fiame says she won't join another party". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  13. ↑ "Samoa's former Deputy PM to join new political party". RNZ. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  14. ↑ Soli Wilson (12 January 2021). "Fiame, FAST to make it official". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "Fiame to lead Samoa's FAST Party". RNZ. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  16. ↑ Soli Wilson (23 October 2020). "The 200 to contest 2021 general election". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  17. ↑ Tina Mata'afa-Tufele (12 January 2021). "F.A.S.T. raises $37,000 on Australian crowdfunding site". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  18. ↑ Soli Wilson (4 January 2021). "F.A.S.T. kicks off election roadshow". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  19. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (8 January 2021). "F.A.S.T. roadshow a foreign practice: P.M. Tuilaepa". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  20. ↑ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (13 January 2021). "Crash F.A.S.T. roadshows to counter "brainwashing": P.M." Samoa Observer. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  21. ↑ Soli Wilson (14 October 2021). "F.A.S.T. roadshow rolls on to Falealili 2". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  22. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (29 January 2021). "Opposition parties discuss grand coalition". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  23. ↑ "Independents hold power in forming next Samoa govt". RNZ. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  24. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (21 April 2021). "Tuala joins F.A.S.T.; insists he's still "kingmaker"". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  25. ↑ Sina Retzlaff (21 April 2021). "Fiame Confirms Tuala's Decision to Join FAST". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  26. ↑ "Samoa election: Independent MP sides with new FAST party". RNZ. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  27. ↑ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  28. ↑ "Free and fair by-elections crucial". Samoa Observer. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  29. ↑ "Speaker rules on corrupt arrangement issue raised by Court". Samoa Observer. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  30. ↑ "Speaker unaware by-election dates have changed". Talamua Online. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  31. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (19 October 2021). "F.A.S.T. campaign kicks off this weekend". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  32. ↑ Lagi Keresoma (29 September 2021). "Parliament Passes Electoral Amendment Bill". Talamua. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  33. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (30 September 2021). "Savai'i voters praise electoral change". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  34. ↑ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (22 November 2021). "Fuiono is the M.P. for Falealupo". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  35. ↑ Lagi Keresoma (22 November 2021). "FAST secures Falealupo seat after Court disqualifies HRPP candidate". Talamua Online. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  36. ↑ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (26 November 2021). "Faleomavaega sweeps Aleipata-i-Lalo seat". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  37. ↑ "FAST Secures Sagaga 4 Seat in Landslide Win". Samoa Global News. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  38. ↑ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (26 November 2021). "F.A.S.T. tops by-elections' preliminary results". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  39. ↑ Ganasavea Manuia Tafeaga (29 November 2021). "Warrant of Election Declares 8 Parliamentary Seats after By-elections". Samoa Global News. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  40. ↑ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (4 May 2021). "H.O.S. declares April election void". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  41. ↑ Lagi Keresoma (14 December 2021). "Speaker swears in seven new Members of Parliament". Talamua Online. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  42. ↑ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (25 March 2022). "Associate Minister of Agriculture passes away". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  43. ↑ Mika, Talaia (21 June 2022). "FAST Party welcomes Gagaifomauga No 2 Member of Parliament". Talamua Online. Apia. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
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