Samoa Election 2025: FAST Leads with 30 Seats as Final Count Pending

Apia, Samoa - Samoa’s ruling FAST Party has emerged from the snap general election with a strong provisional lead, securing 30 of the 51 seats in Parliament, according to figures published by Samoa Global News. The results remain provisional until the Electoral Commission completes the count, including special votes and women’s quota seats.

The Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), led by former prime minister Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele Malielegaoi, has so far claimed 12 seats, with tallies reported by Samoa Global News, while Samoa News Hub has indicated the party may reach as many as 14. The newly formed Samoa Uniting Party (SUP), led by Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa, has secured three seats, confirmed in reports from both Samoa Global News and Samoa Observer. Independent candidates are projected to win between three and five seats, based on provisional counts published by Samoa Observer.

Political Context

The snap election was called after Prime Minister Fiame’s FAST-led minority government lost its budget vote in May, prompting Parliament’s dissolution.

The campaign was dominated by a three-way contest: FAST, now led by La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt; HRPP, still under Tuila‘epa’s leadership; and SUP, Fiame’s breakaway party formed after she was expelled from FAST.

What Happens Next

Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo Alexander John Stanley has confirmed that special votes and quota adjustments will be finalised in the coming days. Until then, the caretaker government remains in place.

Legal challenges are possible if narrow margins emerge in some constituencies. Samoa’s courts have historically played a central role in settling disputed results, as seen after the 2021 election when petitions overturned several seats.

Why It Matters

A commanding FAST majority would consolidate its authority following its historic 2021 victory. If the margin narrows once final votes are counted, Samoa could be pushed towards power-sharing or coalition arrangements.

Beyond parliamentary arithmetic, the election result will shape Samoa’s domestic agenda and regional standing. Observers note that economic stability, social policy and strategic engagement in the Pacific, including relations with Australia, New Zealand and China, will all be influenced by the strength of the new government’s mandate.

International Reaction

Pacific leaders have described the election as a pivotal moment for Samoa’s democracy. Former New Zealand foreign minister Aupito William Sio told RNZ Pacific there was a “sense of relief” across the region that Samoa’s political transition was progressing peacefully.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it would continue to work with whichever government emerges, noting the importance of “shared democratic values and regional stability.” Analysts in Wellington and Canberra have also highlighted that the result will shape Samoa’s approach to international partnerships, particularly as Pacific states balance relationships with China and traditional allies.

Current Provisional Seat Count

Party	Seats Reported	Source(s)
FAST	30	Reuters
HRPP	12–14	Samoa Global News, Samoa News Hub
Samoa Uniting Party (SUP)	3	Samoa Global News, Samoa Observer
Independents	3–5