Samoan Parliament re-elects Head of State

Apia, SAMOA — The Samoan Parliament has unanimously re-elected Head of State, Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II, to a second five-year term.

The re-election put to rest much speculation that he would be replaced by the Fa'atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi, or FAST, government.

The first order of business at this morning's session of Parliament was the reading of a letter from Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa informing the Speaker that Tuimalealiifano had her government's backing.

The Speaker then asked the question and there were no naysayers.

Tuimalealiifano became Head of State on 21 July, 2017 under the Human Rights Protection Party government of Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

His five year-term ended last month but because Parliament was not in session, it was was extended until today.

A lawyer by profession, Tuimalealiifano has also worked as a police officer.

He was appointed to the Council of Deputies for several years before his first term as Head of State.

Tuimalealiifano was expected to be sworn in on Wednesday.