Tautua Samoa Party Explained

Country:Samoa
Tautua Samoa Party
Native Name:Vaega Faaupufai le Tautua Samoa
Abbreviation:TSP
Leader:Vacant
President:Afualo Wood Salele
Founder:Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi
Ideology:Agrarianism
Christian democracy
Christian left
Position:Centre to centre-left
Newspaper:Tautua Lelei
Colours: Green
Slogan:"Work Honestly"
(Samoan: "Galue Faamaoni")
Website:tautuasamoaparty.com

The Tautua Samoa Party (Samoan: Vaega Faaupufai le Tautua Samoa) was a political party in Samoa. The party's policies include economic development, particularly in the agricultural sector, public service reform, a limit on the number of Associate Ministers, and a reduction in the term of Parliament from 5 to 3 or 4 years. Its president was Afualo Wood Salele.

The party was deregistered on 7 March 2023 after failing to pay the annual registration fee.[1]

Formation

The party was formed by 11 independent Members of Parliament in December 2008.[2] The party's founders described their aim as providing parliamentary opposition to the ruling Human Rights Protection Party.[3]

Under the Samoan Electoral Act, registering as members of a new party would have required Tautua Samoa's members to contest a by-election for their parliamentary seats. To avoid this, the party was initially registered under the Companies Act,[4] and its members remained listed as independents.[5] However, as such it was not an officially recognized party by the Parliament of Samoa. Samoa at times has had no official opposition parties, because of restrictive Parliamentary rules that control and constrain the formation of opposition parties.[6] [7]

The party launched with no formal leader; its interim chair was Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.[8] In January 2009, the Speaker of Parliament ordered Tautua Samoa to provide formal notice of its existence and membership.[9] The party formally identified itself, and nine Members of Parliament identified themselves as members. In May, Speaker Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Lei'ataua revoked the parliamentary membership of all nine of the party's MPs, on the grounds that joining a party after being elected breached the provisions of the Electoral Act and the parliament standing orders.[10] Their expulsion from Parliament would prompt by-elections. Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi stated that he would seek an interim injunction against the Speaker's ruling.[11] [12] The Supreme Court of Samoa cancelled the by-elections and reinstated the MPs, stating that the speaker's position was wrong and the party formation was legal.[13]

In March 2010, the Electoral Act was amended, forbidding any Member of Parliament from leaving their initial party while retaining their seat. Consequently, three members of the Tautua Samoa Party resigned from Parliament: party chairman Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, and former HRPP cabinet ministers Palusalue Fa’apo II and Va'ai Papu Vailupe. Their resignation led to by-elections in their constituencies: Vaisigano number one, Faleata West, and Safata territorial.[14] Only those three Members of Parliament resigned, because only they declared they were members of the party following its formal registration. Other MPs who had initially aligned themselves with the party are therefore not officially members.[15]

On 2 May 2010 Va'ai Papu Vailupe was elected unopposed in the Vaisigano by-election, becoming the first MP elected for the party.[16]

2011 election

See main article: 2011 Samoan general election. In September 2010 the party announced that it had made an agreement with the Samoa Party and is negotiating with the People's Party for the latter to run their candidates under the Tautua banner.[17] Shortly thereafter, the leader of the Samoa Party, Feo Nemaia Esau, announced that his party had disbanded and merged into the Tautua Samoa Party. He explained that the merger would form a more "united opposition" to the ruling Human Rights Protection Party.[18]

Also in September 2010, founding member Mulipola Oliva asked to run as an HRPP candidate.[19]

In November, the party announced that it had reached an agreement with the United Samoa People's Party and several independent politicians to form an organisation, Tumua'i Tutusa, to campaign together for the election. The new group's chairman, Afualo Dr. Wood Salele, stated that the organisation would seek divine intervention, notably through a week of fasting and praying, to defeat the Human Rights Protection Party in the upcoming election.[20] In December, party president Papalii Tavita Moala resigned unexpectedly, and Afualo Wood Salele was chosen for the presidency in his place.[21] On 22 December 2010 Va'ai Papu Vailupe was formally chosen as party leader, with Palusalue Fa’apo II as their deputy.[22]

In January 2011 the party announced a list of 47 candidates to contest the election.[23] In February 2011 at least three Tautua candidates were prevented from standing after village mayors refused to sign their nomination forms.[24] [25] On 14 February the party elected Va'aelua Eti Alesana as its new president.[26]

At the election the party won 13 of 49 seats.[27] Following the election party leader Va'ai Papu Vailupe was found guilty of bribery and treating and deprived of his seat.[28] He contested the subsequent 2011 Vaisigano No. 1 by-election, but was unsuccessful.[29] Vailupe was subsequently convicted of bribery and fined $2,500.[30] In the interim, Palusalue Fa’apo II was confirmed as party leader, with A'eau Peniamina Leavaise'eta as his deputy.[31]

Party president Va'aelua Eti Alesana died on 4 October 2011.[32] On 11 November, Leatinu’u Salote Lesa became the party's president, and the first woman to hold that position.[33] [34]

In October 2015 the party began publishing its own newspaper, Tautua Lelei.[35]

Initial MPs

2016 election

See main article: 2016 Samoan general election. In the leadup to the 2016 election, Tautua MP Levaopolo Talatonu Va’ai announced that he planned to quit the party and establish a new opposition party.[36] The party's chief whip, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, subsequently defected to the HRPP.[37]

On 4 January 2016 Tautua announced its key election policies of free medical care for under-5-year-olds, increased pension funding, and a ban on work on Sundays.[38] The party ran only 25 candidates,[39] and several were subsequently declared ineligible.[40] The party won only two seats, with the Tautua Samoa caucus members consisting of deputy leader A'eau Peniamina and first term MP Ili Setefano Taʻateo.[41] This prevented Tautua Samoa from obtaining the eight seats required for recognition as a parliamentary party. Which left the party with no official status and also left Samoa without an official opposition.[42] Party leader Palusalue Faʻapo II was among those to lose their seat in this election.[43] [44]

Aftermath

Following the election, Palusalue congratulated Tuila'epa and the HRPP on their landslide victory. He then blamed the Tautua Samoa Party’s overwhelming defeat on vote-buying. Former shadow minister of finance Afualo Wood Salele weighed in on this sentiment, claiming that candidates had offered voters bags of rice, chicken legs and money.[44]

Levaopolo announced that he would rejoin the party, increasing Tautua Samoa’s seat count to three.[45] He subsequently began to call for the HRPP leadership to consider lowering the seat quota for parties to attain recognition in parliament. Members of the ruling party echoed this request. Prime minister Tuila'epa then instructed 19 HRPP caucus members who were not selected to be associate ministers to perform the role of the opposition along with the Tautua Samoa MPs.[44] [46]

The party did not select a replacement following the defeat of party leader Palusalue. Deputy leader A'eau Peniamina was unable to confirm when the election of a new leader would occur.[47]

In April 2020 Ili Setefano Ta’ateo, one of the party's two MP's, revealed that he was facing pressure from his constituents to switch his support to the HRPP.[48]

2021 election

See main article: 2021 Samoan general election. The party nominated 14 candidates for the 2021 election.[49] On 11 December 2020 the party announced an electoral alliance with the Samoa First Party and Sovereign Independent Samoa Party, under which the parties will support each other's candidates in seats where they are not running against one another.[50] On 29 January 2021 the alliance launched its manifesto.[51] The party also revealed that it had begun talks with the F.A.S.T. party and Samoa National Democratic Party (who are already in a formal alliance) to form a "grand coalition" to oust the government.[52]

Election and aftermath

During the 2021 election, Tautua Samoa failed to win any seats in the legislative assembly.[53] Initially it appeared that the party would retain one seat, with Tautua Samoa Party candidate Tamaleta Taimang Jensen leading in the Vaimauga No. 2 constituency. However, an accounting error was detected, which had incorrectly displayed Jensen leading ahead of the HRPP candidate. Thus leaving the party with no seats.[54] The party supported prime minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi’s proposal for a second election, as a means of breaking the parliamentary deadlock that had formed between FAST and the HRPP.[55] Tautua Samoa began to campaign for the second poll, however the Supreme Court ruled that the proclamation by the O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) for a second election was unlawful.[56] [57]

Party President Afualo Wood Salele unsuccessfully attempted to challenge the results of the electorate he contested of Salega No. 1, via an electoral petition. Subsequently through another electoral petition, the supreme court found him guilty of three counts of bribery.[58]

2021 by-elections

See main article: 2021 Samoan by-elections. On 23 August, the party met to re-strategise for upcoming by-elections.[59] Afualo Wood Salele later announced that the party would be endorsing three candidates one from Tautua Samoa and two independents to contest the by-elections.[60] [61] Tautua Samoa’s sole candidate Su’a Samuelu Su’a withdrew his nomination to contest the Aleipata Itupa i Lalo electorate on 12 November.[62] Both of the Tautua Samoa endorsed candidates were unsuccessful.[63]

Electoral history

Legislative Assembly

ElectionLeaderVotes%Seats+/–RankStatus
2011Vaʻai Papu Vailupe21,69224.7New2nd
2016Palusalue Faʻapo II6,7438.4 11 2nd
2021Vacant2,9003.2 2 3rd

Notes and References

  1. News: O.E.C. deregisters two political parties . Samoa Observer . Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong . 14 July 2023 . 15 July 2023. subscription.
  2. News: Alan Ah Mu . 17 December 2008 . Tautua Samoa officially launched . Samoa Observer . 4 March 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110607150016/http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2407:tautua-samoa-officially-launched&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=53 . 7 June 2011.
  3. Web site: New party named Tautua Samoa . Jasmine Netzler . Samoa Observer . 9 July 2008.
  4. News: Samoan independents form party to be registered as company . 14 July 2008 . . 19 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20160313203337/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/178217/samoan-independents-form-party-to-be-registered-as-company. 13 March 2016. dead.
  5. News: Pio Sioa . No Bi-Elections – Speaker . Samoa Alive Newsline . 6 May 2008 . 4 March 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080510130103/http://www.samoalivenews.com/Politics/No-Bi-Elections-Speaker.html . 10 May 2008.
  6. https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eap/154400.htm United States Department of State
  7. http://www.pacwip.org/resources/news/2012/samoas-government-system-regarding-political-participation.html Samoa’s government system regarding political participation, Pacific Women in Politics (PACWIP), 18 April 2011, originally published in the Samoan Observer newspaper.
  8. News: Pio Sioa . Tautua Samoa Party is now official . Samoa Alive Newsline . 4 March 2009 .
  9. News: Samoa's Parliamentary speaker orders new political party to declare caucus members . RNZ . 25 January 2009 . 13 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210115005937/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/181589/samoa's-parliamentary-speaker-orders-new-political-party-to-declare-caucus-members. 15 January 2021. live.
  10. Web site: SAMOA MPS DISQUALIFIED, MUST FACE BY-ELECTION . Pacific Islands Report . 2 June 2009 . 13 January 2021.
  11. News: By-elections to be called in Samoa for nine vacant parliamentary seats . 31 May 2009 . . 13 January 2021.
  12. http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/200906/2585889.htm?desktop "Change of heart forces new Samoa by-elections"
  13. News: Samoa court reinstates nine MPs, cancels by-elections . 2 July 2009 . . 19 November 2020.
  14. News: By-elections to be called in Samoa following new amendments . 18 March 2010 . . 1 August 2021.
  15. Web site: Va'ai springs election shock . Samoa Observer . 10 March 2010.
  16. Web site: Fear tactic failed: Va'ai . Alan Ah Mu . Samoa Observer . 2 May 2010 . 2010-05-03.
  17. Web site: Tautua on the move . Samoa Observer . 22 September 2010 . Aigaletaulele’a F. Tauafiafi . 2010-09-23.
  18. News: Samoa Party disbands to join Tautua Samoa . 26 September 2010 . . 19 November 2011.
  19. Web site: MPs defect . Marieta Heidi Ilalio . Samoa Observer . 27 September 2010 . 2010-09-28.
  20. News: Samoa opposition politicians pray for success in 2011 general elections . 15 November 2010 . RNZ . 29 August 2020.
  21. News: Tautua Samoa party president quits . 8 December 2010 . RNZ . 29 August 2020.
  22. Web site: Va'ai Papu chosen as Tautua Samoa leader . RNZ . 22 December 2010 . 29 August 2020.
  23. Web site: Tautua Samoa party announces election candidates . RNZ . 7 January 2011 . 29 August 2020.
  24. Web site: Rival to Tuilaepa in Samoa election may not be able to stand . RNZ . 10 February 2011 . 29 August 2020.
  25. Web site: More Tautua rejects . Samoa Observer . 12 February 2011 . 2011-02-13.
  26. Web site: Son of former Samoa leader now leading opposition party . RNZ . 14 February 2011 . 29 August 2020.
  27. Web site: Samoa's ruling party retains power with reduced majority . RNZ . 6 March 2011 . 29 August 2020.
  28. Web site: Tautua Samoa party leader found guilty of bribery and treating . RNZ . 2 May 2011 . 29 August 2020.
  29. Web site: Samoa ruling party sweeps by-elections . RNZ . 1 August 2011 . 29 August 2020.
  30. Web site: Former opposition leader in Samoa escapes jail pay fine for bribery and treating charges . RNZ . 25 June 2012 . 29 August 2020.
  31. Web site: Tautua Samoa caucus elect new leaders . RNZ . 19 May 2011 . 29 August 2020.
  32. Web site: Tautua Samoa president dies . RNZ . 4 October 2011 . 29 August 2020.
  33. http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36878:woman-becomes-president&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50 "Woman becomes President"
  34. Web site: Opposition Tautua Samoa elects woman president . RNZ . 15 November 2011 . 29 August 2020.
  35. Web site: Samoa opposition says newspaper offers different view . RNZ . 17 August 2015 . 29 August 2020.
  36. Web site: Samoa MP announces planned new party . RNZ . 10 November 2015 . 29 August 2020.
  37. Web site: Samoa chief opposition whip crosses floor . RNZ . 8 February 2016 . 29 August 2020.
  38. Web site: Samoa opposition announces key policies for elections . RNZ . 7 January 2016 . 29 August 2020.
  39. Web site: 171 candidates for Samoa general election . RNZ . 13 February 2016 . 29 August 2020.
  40. Web site: Samoa's ruling HRPP retains 4 seats ahead of the poll . RNZ . 25 February 2016 . 29 August 2020.
  41. Web site: Tautua Samoa party finally talks after disastrous poll results . RNZ . 9 March 2016 . 29 August 2020.
  42. Web site: Samoa Tautua and HRPP MPs to play role of opposition . RNZ . 22 September 2021 . 19 March 2016.
  43. Web site: Opposition Leader Palusalue Faapo Loses Seat . Talanei . 17 November 2021 . 3 March 2016.
  44. Web site: Tautua Samoa party finally talks after disastrous poll results . RNZ . 17 November 2021 . 9 March 2016.
  45. Web site: Count me in, Olo stands up for Tautua . Samoa Observer . 17 November 2021 . 6 March 2016.
  46. Web site: Samoa Tautua and HRPP MPs to play role of opposition . RNZ . 17 November 2021 . 19 March 2016.
  47. News: Lanuola Tusani Tupufia . Tautua leadership undecided . 8 June 2022 . Samoa Observer . 17 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220608041545/https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/36263 . 8 June 2022. live.
  48. Web site: M.P. remains with Tautua Party, H.R.P.P. switch possible . Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong . Samoa Observer . 25 April 2020 . 29 August 2020.
  49. Web site: The 200 to contest 2021 general election . Soli Wilson . Samoa Observer . 23 October 2020 . 29 November 2020.
  50. Web site: Tautua, Samoa First and S.I.S. announce election alliance . Samoa Observer . Soli Wilson . 11 December 2020 . 11 December 2020.
  51. Web site: Tautua alliance launches manifesto in Savai'i . Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi . Samoa Observer . 30 January 2021 . 30 January 2021.
  52. Web site: Opposition parties discuss grand coalition . Samoa Observer . Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi . 29 January 2021 . 30 January 2021.
  53. Web site: Tautua Samoa accepts defeat . Samoa Observer . 26 August 2021 . 14 April 2021.
  54. Web site: Accounting error in Samoa election has top parties tied again . RNZ . 26 August 2021 . 11 April 2021 . 11 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210411105445/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/440235/accounting-error-in-samoa-election-has-top-parties-tied-again . live .
  55. Web site: Tautua Samoa welcomes snap election . 26 August 2021 . Samoa Observer . 7 May 2021.
  56. Web site: Tautua Samoa kicks off second campaign . Samoa Observer . 26 August 2021 . 7 May 2021.
  57. Web site: Samoa court dismisses call for second election . RNZ . 17 May 2021 . 26 August 2021 . 17 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210517024723/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/442739/samoa-court-dismisses-call-for-second-election . live .
  58. Web site: Afualo guilty of bribery . Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong . Samoa Observer . 25 June 2021 . 26 August 2021.
  59. Web site: Tautua Samoa to discuss by-election run . Samoa Observer . 26 August 2021 . 23 August 2021.
  60. Web site: Tautua Samoa's by-election plan . Samoa Observer . 21 September 2021 . 5 September 2021.
  61. Web site: Twenty-two candidates register for by-elections . Samoa Observer . Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong . 5 November 2021 . 13 November 2021.
  62. Web site: Tautua Samoa pulls out from by-election . Samoa Observer . 12 November 2021 . Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong . 13 November 2021.
  63. Web site: Ganasavea Manuia Tafeaga . Warrant of Election Declares 8 Parliamentary Seats after By-elections . Samoa Global News . 6 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211129213423/https://samoaglobalnews.com/warrant-of-election-8-mps/ . 29 November 2021 . 29 November 2021 . live.