Tautua Samoa Party

A former opposition party, Tautua Samoa, is gearing up for the 2021 general election with hopes of winning parliamentary seats to end any further one-party rule.

The ruling Human Rights Protection Party has dominated Samoan politics since 1982 and currently holds 47 out of the 50 seats in the Samoan Fono.

Tautua Samoa is working alongside five other parties who together are hoping to form a new government or at the very least a strong opposition grouping.

The party president and former party MP, Luagalau Afualo Dr Wood Salele, is calling for an inquiry into the outbreak of the measles.

He told reporters that if the prime minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi retains his stance against an inquiry then the Tautua Samoa will launch one if it becomes the next government.

Luagalau has also announced that Tautua Samoa party will provide Medicare insurance for everyone as part of its political platform for 2021 general election.

In the 2016 election, the party only won two seats in Parliament.

Tautua leader Palusalue Faapo 11 gave the keynote address emphasizing the need for a change of Government.

He made reference to the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) million dollar debt with international banks and the ‘impact of the debt on people.’

“Woe to the people of Samoa if HRPP returns,” said Palusalue.

He also explained Tautua’s plan for Samoa for the next five years before calling on Samoa to vote for changes and a prosperous future.

The claim according to Tautua Samoa shadow Minister of Finance, Afualo Dr. Wood Salele was only possible after Parliament was dissolved.

He said under section 32 and 33 of the Samoa Constitution, when a Cabinet Minister resigns before the end of his term, then the rest of the Cabinet must resign after the Parliament is dissolved, and allow the Head of State to select a Caretaker Government.

The Tautua Samoa party leader, Palusalue Faapo II, says the candidate Tu'ula Kiliri has been nominated to run for his political party in the constituency of Lepa.

The nomination yesterday comes after Tuila'epa revealed that his constituency's seat is unopposed for the second general election.

The Tautua Samoa Party's free monthly newspaper 'Tautua Lelei' has an initial run of 2,000 with the first edition now being distributed around the country.

The Opposition Leader, Palusalue Fa'apo II, says having their own newspaper means they will be free to express their views.

"This newspaper will get the message to the people at the back, because at the meantime we are restricted through the media and also the other newspaper in Samoa."

It is the first time an Opposition Party in Samoa has started their own paper.