View source for Legislative Assembly of Samoa

{{Short description|Parliament of Samoa}}
{{Redirect|Fono}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox legislature
 | name               = Legislative Assembly of Samoa
 | native_name        = ''Fono Aoao Faitulafono o Samoa''
 | native_name_lang   = 
 | transcription_name = 
 | legislature        = ''Dissolved''
 | coa_pic            = Coat of arms of Samoa.svg
 | coa_res            = 150px
 | coa_alt            =
 | foundation         = {{Start date|1962|1|1|df=y}}
 | house_type         = Unicameral
 | body               = 
 | houses             = 
 | leader1_type       = {{nowrap|[[O le Ao o le Malo]]}}
 | leader1            = [[Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II]]
 | election1          = 21 July 2017
 | leader2_type       = [[List of Speakers of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa|Speaker]]
 | leader2            = [[Papali’i Li’o Taeu Masipau]]
 | election2          = 24 May 2021
 | party3             = [[Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi|FAST]]
 | election3          = 24 May 2021
 | leader4_type       = Deputy Speaker
 | leader4            = [[Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua]]
 | party4             = [[Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi|FAST]]
 | election4          = 24 May 2021
 | leader5_type       = [[Prime Minister of Samoa|Prime Minister]]
 | leader5            = [[Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa]]
 | party5             = [[Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi|FAST]]
 | election5          = 24 May 2021
 | leader6_type       = Deputy Prime Minister
 | leader6            = [[Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio]]
 | party6             = [[Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi|FAST]]
 | election6          = 24 May 2021
 | leader7_type       = [[Leader of the Opposition]]
 | leader7            = [[Tuila{{okina}}epa Sa{{okina}}ilele Malielegaoi]]
 | party7             = [[Human Rights Protection Party|HRPP]]
 | election7          = 5 July 2023<ref>{{cite news |author1=Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong |title=Speaker to recognise Tuilaepa as Opposition Leader |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/104417 |access-date=19 July 2023 |work=Samoa Observer |date=5 July 2023|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
 | members            = Up to 56
 | term_length        = Up to 5 years
 | house1             = 
 | house2             = 
 | structure1         = <!-- 17th Parliament - Legislative Assembly of Sāmoa.svg -->
 | structure1_res     = 250px
 | structure1_alt     = 
 | structure2         = 
 | structure2_res     = 
 | structure2_alt     = 
 | political_groups1  =
 | committees1        = 
 | committees2        = 
 | joint_committees   = 
 | voting_system1     = [[First-past-the-post]]
 | voting_system2     = 
 | last_election1     = [[2021 Samoan general election|9 April 2021]]
 | last_election2     = 
 | next_election1     = [[2025 Samoan general election|2025]]
 | next_election2     =
 | session_room       = Julie Bishop Samoan MPs 2018.jpg
 | session_res        = 
 | session_alt        = 
 | meeting_place      = Maota, Tiafau, [[Apia]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.palemene.ws/new/wp-content/uploads//Infosheet/Infosheet-01-Legislative-Assembly-of-Samoa.pdf |title=Legislative Assembly of Samoa |publisher=Office of the Clerk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417071207/http://www.palemene.ws/new/wp-content/uploads//Infosheet/Infosheet-01-Legislative-Assembly-of-Samoa.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2017}}</ref>
 | website            = {{URL|https://www.palemene.ws/}}
 | footnotes          = 
 | motto              = 
}}

The '''Legislative Assembly''' ({{langx|sm|Fono Aoao Faitulafono a Samoa}}), also known as the '''Parliament of Samoa''' ({{langx|sm|Palemene o Samoa}}), is the national [[legislature]] of [[Samoa]], seated at [[Apia]], where the country's central administration is situated. Samoan Parliament is composed of two parts: the [[O le Ao o le Malo]] ([[head of state]]) and the Legislative Assembly. Parliament has been dissolved since 3 June 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Samoa parliament formally dissolved after months of uncertainty |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/562952/samoa-parliament-formally-dissolved-after-months-of-uncertainty |access-date=3 June 2025 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=3 June 2025}}</ref>

In the [[Samoan language]], the Legislative Assembly of Samoa is sometimes referred to as the '''Samoan Fono''' while the ''government'' of the country is referred to as the '''Malo'''. The word ''fono'' is a Samoan and Polynesian term for councils or meetings great and small and applies to national assemblies and legislatures, as well as local village councils.

The modern government of Samoa exists on a national level alongside the country's ''[[fa'amatai]]'' indigenous chiefly system of governance and social organisation.<ref name=af>{{cite book |title=Land rights of Pacific women |first=Aiono |last=Fana'afi Le Tagaloa |page=103 |year=1986 |publisher=University of the South Pacific;Institute of Pacific Studies |isbn=982-02-0012-1}}</ref> In his or her own right, the [[O le Ao o le Malo]] can summon and call together the Legislative Assembly, and can prorogue or dissolve Parliament, in order to either end a parliamentary session or call a general election on behalf of the [[Prime Minister of Samoa]]. 

==History==
{{Politics of Samoa}}
[[File:Members of the First Legislative Council in Samoa ca 1921.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Members of the First Legislative Assembly of Samoa under [[New Zealand]] administration, circa 1921.]]
The Samoan Fono is descended from the Western Samoan Legislative Assembly established under New Zealand rule in the early 1900s. On the country's political independence in 1962, the 5th Legislative Assembly became the [[1st Western Samoan Parliament]].<ref>[http://www.parliament.gov.ws/general.cfm Parliament of Samoa: general information] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624000247/http://www.parliament.gov.ws/general.cfm |date=24 June 2007 }}</ref>

==Powers and procedures==
The Samoan Constitution provides the Legislative Assembly to make laws for the whole or any part of Samoa and laws having effect outside as well
as within Samoa. Any Member of Parliament may introduce any bill or propose any motion for debate in the Assembly or present any petition to
the Assembly, and the same shall be considered and disposed of under the provisions of the Standing Orders.

Members of Parliament possess [[parliamentary privilege]] and immunities.

The Legislative Assembly can be dissolved or prorogue by the [[O le Ao o le Malo]], with the advice of the Prime Minister.

==Members of Parliament==
Prior to a 2019 constitutional amendment, the Samoan ''Fono'' had 49 Members of Parliament. These were elected in six two-seat and 35 single-seat [[constituency|constituencies]]. Of these 49 seats, 47 were legally reserved for traditional heads of families (''[[Fa'amatai|matai]])'' and two for special constituencies: These two seats were first reserved for Samoan citizens descended from non-Samoans (so-called 'individual constituencies') and elected on a non-territorial basis until the 2015 constitutional amendment after which these were replaced with specific 'urban constituencies'.<ref>{{cite web|date=3 June 2015|title=Constitution Amendment 2015 (English)|url=https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads//01.Acts/Acts%202015/Constitution-Amendment-Act-2015-Eng.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120091335/https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads//01.Acts/Acts%202015/Constitution-Amendment-Act-2015-Eng.pdf|archive-date=20 January 2021|access-date=22 May 2021|website=[[Parliament of Samoa]]}}</ref> These 'urban constituencies' were only in place for the [[2016 Samoan general election|2016 general election]] and were then abolished by the 2019 amendment ahead of the [[April 2021 Samoan general election|next general election]]. Following this amendment, each electoral constituency elects one member, totalling 51 members of parliament.<ref>{{cite web|date=31 January 2019|title=Constitution Amendment Act (No. 3)|url=https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads/Constitution-Amendment-Act-No.3-2019-Eng.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420104818/https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads/Constitution-Amendment-Act-No.3-2019-Eng.pdf|archive-date=20 April 2021|access-date=22 May 2021|website=[[Parliament of Samoa]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2019-01-30|title=Samoa to bring about changes to parliament|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/381289/samoa-to-bring-about-changes-to-parliament|access-date=2021-05-22|website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref>

An extra Member of Parliament was added after the 2016 election in order to meet the quota of 10% female MPs.<ref>{{cite news|date=11 March 2016|title=Fa'aulusau Rosa Duffy-Stowers secures 5th Parliamentary seat for women|publisher=Talamua Online|url=http://www.talamua.com/faaulusau-rosa-duffy-stowers-secures-5th-parliamentary-seat-for-women/|url-status=dead|access-date=16 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322133645/http://www.talamua.com/faaulusau-rosa-duffy-stowers-secures-5th-parliamentary-seat-for-women/|archive-date=22 March 2016}}</ref>

Members of Parliament in Samoa are directly elected by universal suffrage, and serve a five-year term.

<!--
===Current composition===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Affiliation
! rowspan="2" |Leader in Parliament
! rowspan="2" |Status
! colspan="2" |Seats
|-
![[2021 Samoan general election|2021 election]]
!Current
|-
|bgcolor={{party colour|Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi}}|
|[[Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi]]
|[[Fiamē Naomi Mata{{okina}}afa]]
|[[Majority government|Majority]]
|25
|35
|-
|bgcolor={{party colour|Human Rights Protection Party}}|
|[[Human Rights Protection Party]]
|[[Tuila{{okina}}epa Sa{{okina}}ilele Malielegaoi]]
|[[Opposition (politics)|Official opposition]]
|25
|18{{efn|Includes 2 additional female members declared elected to fulfil parliament's 10% female quota}}
|- 
|bgcolor={{party colour|Independent politician}}|
|[[Independent politician|Independents]]
|{{N/A}}
|{{N/A}}
|0
|0
|- 
|style="background:White"|
|''[[Vacant]]''
|{{N/A}}
|''Vacant''
|{{N/A}}
|0
|-
! colspan="4" |Total
!51
!53
|}
-->
==Head of State==
{{Main article|O le Ao o le Malo}}
The ceremonial Head of State or ''[[O le Ao o le Malo]]'' is elected for a five-year term by the Fono. O le Ao o le Malo is limited to a maximum of 2 terms.

==Elections==
Elections are held under a [[First Past the Post electoral system|simple plurality system]].  Samoan electors are divided into 51 single member [[Electoral Constituencies of Samoa|constituencies]].
Electors must be Samoan citizens and aged over 21.<ref>[http://www.parliament.gov.ws/documents/general_info/Electoral_Reprint_2006.pdf Electoral Act 1963], s16 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306004947/http://www.parliament.gov.ws/documents/general_info/Electoral_Reprint_2006.pdf |date=March 6, 2009 }}</ref>  Candidates must be qualified as electors, and are required hold a ''matai'' title.<ref>[http://www.parliament.gov.ws/documents/general_info/Electoral_Reprint_2006.pdf Electoral Act 1963], s5 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002034929/http://www.parliament.gov.ws/documents/general_info/Electoral_Reprint_2006.pdf |date=2 October 2006 }}</ref>

===Last election results===

{{Main|2021 Samoan general election}}

{{#section-h:2021 Samoan general election|Results}}

==Terms of parliament==
The Legislative Assembly is currently in its 17th session, its convention did not occur until several months after the [[2021 Samoan general election]] was held, due to the [[2021 Samoan constitutional crisis]]. The 17th parliament convened for the first time on 14 September 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parliament to meet on 14 September: Fiame |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/90615 |publisher=Samoa Observer |access-date=22 October 2021 |date=1 September 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" width=70%
!Term
!Elected in
!Government
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[1st Western Samoan Legislative Assembly|1st Legislative Assembly]]
| align=center |[[1948 Western Samoan general election|1948 election]]
| align=center |United Citizens Party 
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[2nd Western Samoan Legislative Assembly|2nd Legislative Assembly]]
| align=center |[[1951 Western Samoan general election|1951 election]]
| align=center rowspan=10|No parties
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[3rd Western Samoan Legislative Assembly|3rd Legislative Assembly]]
| align=center |[[1954 Western Samoan general election|1954 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[4th Western Samoan Legislative Assembly|4th Legislative Assembly]]
| align=center |[[1957 Western Samoan general election|1957 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[1st Western Samoan Parliament|5th Legislative Assembly / 1st Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1961 Western Samoan general election|1961 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[2nd Western Samoan Parliament|2nd Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1964 Western Samoan general election|1964 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[3rd Western Samoan Parliament|3rd Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1967 Western Samoan general election|1967 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[4th Western Samoan Parliament|4th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1970 Western Samoan general election|1970 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[5th Western Samoan Parliament|5th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1973 Western Samoan general election|1973 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[6th Western Samoan Parliament|6th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1976 Western Samoan general election|1976 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|[[7th Western Samoan Parliament|7th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1979 Western Samoan general election|1979 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#DDEEFF
|[[8th Western Samoan Parliament|8th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1982 Western Samoan general election|1982 election]]
| align=center |[[Human Rights Protection Party]]
|----- bgcolor=#DDEEFF
|[[9th Western Samoan Parliament|9th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1985 Western Samoan general election|1985 election]]
| align=center |[[Human Rights Protection Party]] / [[Christian Democratic Party (Samoa)|Christian Democratic Party]]
|----- bgcolor=#DDEEFF
|[[10th Western Samoan Parliament|10th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1988 Western Samoan general election|1988 election]]
| align=center rowspan=7|[[Human Rights Protection Party]]
|----- bgcolor=#DDEEFF
|[[11th Western Samoan Parliament|11th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1991 Western Samoan general election|1991 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#DDEEFF
|[[12th Western Samoan Parliament|12th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[1996 Western Samoan general election|1996 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#DDEEFF
|[[13th Samoan Parliament|13th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[2001 Samoan general election|2001 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#DDEEFF
|[[14th Samoan Parliament|14th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[2006 Samoan general election|2006 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#DDEEFF
|[[15th Samoan Parliament|15th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[2011 Samoan general election|2011 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#DDEEFF
|[[16th Samoan Parliament|16th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[2016 Samoan general election|2016 election]]
|----- bgcolor=#FFE8E8
|[[17th Samoan Parliament|17th Parliament]]
| align=center |[[2021 Samoan general election|2021 election]]
| align=center |[[Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi]]
|}

==Building==

{{main|Architecture of Samoa}}

The Fono is housed in a beehive-shaped building based on the traditional [[Architecture of Samoa|Samoan fale]].

==See also==

*[[Electoral Constituencies of Samoa]]
*[[List of speakers of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa]]
*[[Politics of Samoa]]
*[[List of legislatures by country]]

==Notes==

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.palemene.ws}}

{{Legislatures of Oceania}}
{{National unicameral legislatures}}
{{Samoa topics|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1962 establishments in Samoa]]
[[Category:Parliaments by country|Samoa]]
[[Category:Government of Samoa]]
[[Category:National legislatures|Samoa]]
[[Category:Politics of Samoa]]
[[Category:Political organisations based in Samoa]]
[[Category:Unicameral legislatures|Samoa]]