Politics & Government Guide
Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions in Samoa
Samoa is a unitary parliamentary democracy with a unicameral legislature of 51 members serving five-year terms. The current Prime Minister is La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, with Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II serving as Head of State. The FAST party has governed since 2021, ending nearly four decades of HRPP rule following a constitutional crisis resolved by the Supreme Court.
Political Stability
Good
Government Type
Parliamentary democracy
Legal System
Mixed legal system based on English common law and Samoan customary law
Head of State
Head of State Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II(since 2017)
Head of Government
Prime Minister La'auli Leuatea Schmidt(FAST)since 2025
Political Indicators
Political Stability
Scale: 0-1
Stable
Political Stability Index (2024)
Legislature
Major Political Parties
Center
Center-right
Voting Rights
Samoan citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote. Forty-nine MPs are matai title-holders elected from territorial districts; two are chosen by non-Samoans with no chiefly affiliation on separate electoral rolls. At least ten percent of MPs must be women.
Recent Developments
- La'auli Leuatea Schmidt became Prime Minister in 2025, succeeding Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa
- FAST party continues governance following historic 2021 election victory that ended 40 years of HRPP rule
- Next general election scheduled for 2026
- IMF mission in November 2024 noted strong economic growth rebound and focus on structural reforms to boost medium-term growth
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