Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt

The Honourable Susuga
Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt
Schmidt in 2023
8th Prime Minister of Samoa
Incumbent
Assumed office
16 September 2025
O le Ao o le MaloTuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II
DeputyToelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo
Preceded byFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
18th Commonwealth Chair-in-Office
Incumbent
Assumed office
16 September 2025
Preceded byFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Other offices held
Leader of Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi
Incumbent
Assumed office
15 January 2025
DeputyLeota Laki Lamositele
Preceded byFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
In office
30 July 2020 – 9 March 2021
DeputyOlo Fiti Vaai[1]
Preceded byPosition Established
Succeeded byFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Scientific Research
In office
24 May 2021[a] – 10 January 2025
Prime MinisterFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Preceded byLopaoʻo Natanielu Mua
Succeeded byNiuava Eti Malolo
In office
19 March 2016 – 22 August 2017
Prime MinisterTuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi
Preceded byLe Mamea Ropati[b]
Succeeded byLopaoʻo Natanielu Mua
Deputy Leader of Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi
In office
9 March 2021 – 15 January 2025
LeaderFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Preceded byOlo Fiti Vaai
Succeeded byLeota Laki Lamositele
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa
In office
18 March 2011 – 16 March 2016
Preceded byTolofuaivalelei Falemoe Lei’ataua
Succeeded byToleafoa Faafisi
Member of the Samoan Parliament
for Gagaʻifomauga No. 3
Incumbent
Assumed office
31 March 2006
Preceded byVagana Peleiʻupu Tamate
Personal details
BornLeuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt
(1966-04-14) 14 April 1966 (age 59)
PartyFaʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (since 2020)
Other political
affiliations		Human Rights Protection Party (until 2020)

Susuga Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt[2][3] (born 14 April 1966)[4] is a Samoan politician and businessman who has served as the eighth prime minister of Samoa since 2025.[5] He is a former speaker and deputy speaker of the Samoan Parliament.[6] Schmidt is the Member of Parliament for the Gagaʻifomauga No. 3 constituency and is the founder and chairman of the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party.[7][8]

Early life and political career

Schmidt is the son of former Government Minister and founding member of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Polataivao Fosi Schmidt.[9] He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly as a candidate for the HRPP at the 2006 election. From 2006 to 2011 he served as Deputy Speaker. He was re-elected at the 2011 election and served as Speaker from 2011 to 2016.[10] He was again re-elected at the 2016 election and appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Scientific Research.[11]

In August 2017, Schmidt resigned as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and remained Member of Parliament as he had a lengthy legal battle with HRPP MP Peseta Vaifou Tevaga.[12] He was subsequently charged with more than a hundred counts of forgery and theft.[13] He was acquitted of all charges in June 2020.[14]

Departure from HRPP and by-election

In May 2020 Schmidt was sacked from the HRPP by Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi after voting against proposed constitutional amendments.[15] He subsequently announced he had resigned from the HRPP and that he would be forming a new political party to contest the 2021 election.[16][17]

On 30 June 2020, the Parliamentary Privileges and Ethics Committee found that Schmidt had misled Parliament over the disputed price of a generator during a debate and recommended that he be suspended from Parliament for three months without pay.[18][19] Schmidt apologised to the House and verbally resigned his seat.[20] After some initial doubt, the verbal resignation was deemed to be effective, and a by-election was called.

On 30 July Schmidt registered the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party to contest in the 2021 Elections.[21] He ran as a candidate for the party in the 2020 Gagaifomauga No. 3 byelection[22] and was successfully re-elected.[23][24][25]

Government

Schmidt was re-elected during the 2021 Samoan general election. On 24 May 2021 he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the elected cabinet of Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.[26] The appointment was disputed by the caretaker government. On 23 July 2021 the Court of Appeal ruled that the swearing-in ceremony was constitutional and binding, and that FAST had been the government since 24 May.[27][28][29]

In January 2025 he was charged with 10 criminal offences, including harassment, making a false statement causing harm to a person's reputation, using insulting words to provoke a breach of the peace, conspiring to fabricate evidence and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.[30][31] After refusing to resign[32] he was sacked as a minister on 10 January.[33][34] On 15 January Schmidt, acting as FAST chairman, expelled Mataʻafa, Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, and three other cabinet ministers from the party.[35] Schmidt was subsequently elected FAST leader, with Leota Laki Lamositele as his deputy.[36]

Prime minister (since 2025)

During the 2025 snap election, Schmidt was re-elected in his Gaga‘ifomauga 3 constituency in a landslide, defeating Faʻaulusau Rosa Duffy-Stowers of the HRPP.[37] FAST won 30 seats, allowing the party to form a government with Schmidt as prime minister.[38] He assumed office on 16 September after the 18th Parliament was sworn in,[39] becoming the eighth prime minister and only the third to be from Savaiʻi.[5] Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo became deputy prime minister and, per an arrangement, is set to hold the post until midway through the parliamentary term in 2028. Finance Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioʻo is expected to assume the deputy premiership thereafter.[40]

Shortly after taking office, Schmidt departed for Auckland, New Zealand, to receive medical treatment. His stay was initially planned to be for a week, but was extended on multiple occasions. Schmidt's injury was not specifically disclosed; however, on 17 October, Deputy Prime Minister Onesemo announced that Schmidt was "unable to stand".[41] Schmidt held meetings in Auckland with the representatives of other nations, despite his government advising him not to do so whilst on medical leave, especially without the presence of a senior official from the ministry of foreign affairs or the ministry of the prime minister.[42] Shortly after Onesemo's announcement, Schmidt released an image of a meeting with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Schmidt, however, had the photo altered by AI to make it appear as if he was sitting in an armchair, when he was actually in a wheelchair. Neither Schmidt nor his government commented on the image,[43] while the New Zealand delegation indicated that it had been modified.[42] Schmidt returned to Samoa on 15 November, after being abroad for nearly two months.[44] Upon his return, journalists from the Samoa Observer, the country's sole daily newspaper, and the BBC attempted to visit him at his residence in Siusega to confirm his presence in Samoa;[45] however, several of his supporters denied them entry. Two of Schmidt's supporters reportedly assaulted Samoa Observer editor Shavleen Chand while police officers were on site. Chand subsequently filed a police complaint.[46] At a press conference on 17 November, Schmidt announced that the Samoa Observer would be barred from covering government affairs. He claimed the outlet had tarnished his image while he was abroad, and instructed his cabinet to ignore its inquiries. Schmidt also accused the journalists of breaching his privacy and demanded that they refrain from visiting his residence.[45]

Notes

  1. ^ Disputed: 24 May 2021 – 23 July 2021
  2. ^ As Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries

References

  1. ^ "Samoa's former deputy pm to join new political party". RNZ. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  2. ^ Marieta Heidi Ilalio (26 June 2025). "La'auli gets La'aulialemalietoa matai title". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  3. ^ "LISI O SUI USUFONO O LE PALEMENE LONA XVII MA ITUMALO PALOTA 17 SETEMA 2021" (PDF). samoagovt.ws. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  4. ^ Soloi, Seia Lavilavi (15 April 2021). "Political rivals celebrate birthdays". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 3 September 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  5. ^ a b Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai (16 September 2025). "Laaulialemalietoa Schmidt sworn in as Samoa's 8th Prime Minister, third leader from Savai'i". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  6. ^ Profile Archived 2007-08-24 at the Wayback Machine at the Samoan Fono
  7. ^ "Our Aiga" – via fastparty.was.
  8. ^ "Fiame to lead Samoa's FAST Party". RNZ. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  9. ^ " Following in their fathers' foot steps into Samoa politics" Archived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine, EventPolynesia.com, 8 April 2006.
  10. ^ "IPU PARLINE database: SAMOA (Fono ), ELECTIONS IN 2011".
  11. ^ "Samoa Tautua and HRPP MPs to play role of opposition". RNZ. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Charged Cabinet Minister Resigns in Samoa". Talani. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  13. ^ Tina Mata'afa-Tufele (26 May 2020). "Acting CJ to deliver Laauli ruling in June". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Samoan MP found not guilty but media man guilty of forgery". RNZ. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  15. ^ "More ructions in Samoa's ruling HRPP". RNZ. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  16. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia – Ah Tong (1 June 2020). "Former Speaker La'auli resigns from H.R.P.P." Samoa Observer. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  17. ^ "Former ruling HRPP MP to establish new political party in Samoa". RNZ. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  18. ^ "La'auli, how dare you steal Tuilaepa's thunder?". Samoa Observer. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  19. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia – Ah Tong (30 June 2020). "Parliament Committee recommends for La'auli to be suspended". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  20. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia – Ah Tong (30 June 2020). "La'auli resigns from Parliament". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  21. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (30 July 2020). "F.A.S.T. political party officially registers". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  22. ^ "Two candidates for Samoa by-election". RNZ. RNZ. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  23. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (18 August 2020). "La'auli declared by-election winner". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  24. ^ "Former Speaker tops prelim results in Samoan by-election". RNZ. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  25. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (28 August 2020). "La'auli opens new political chapter". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  26. ^ Marieta H Ilalio (25 May 2021). "Fiame Sworn in as Prime Minister under Marquees on Parliament Grounds". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  27. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  28. ^ "First FAST Cabinet Down to Work – When the Impossible Happens". Talamua Online. 29 July 2021. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries". www.samoagovt.ws. 15 October 2021. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  30. ^ Shalveen Chand (9 January 2025). "La'auli charges clarified by police". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  31. ^ "Police commissioner clarifies charges in Samoa political case". RNZ. 8 January 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  32. ^ Jarrett Malifa (10 January 2025). "Defiant La'auli refuses to resign amid political friction in FAST party". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  33. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (10 January 2025). "PM Fiame terminates La'auli". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  34. ^ "PM terminates Samoa MP at centre of police charges". RNZ. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  35. ^ "Samoa: FAST chairman removes PM from party". RNZ. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  36. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (17 January 2025). "FAST appoints new executives: Laauli is leader and chairman". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  37. ^ Bethel Peato-Ale (2 September 2025). "Laaulialemalietoa retains Gagaifomauga No.3 seat". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 2 September 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  38. ^ Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo (4 September 2025). "Official count ends, FAST takes 30 seats". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 15 September 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  39. ^ Renate Rivers (15 September 2025). "Sāmoa's 18th Parliament and new Prime Minister to be sworn in". Pacific Media Network. Retrieved 15 September 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  40. ^ "Laaulialemalietoa announces his first Cabinet as Samoa's Prime Minister". Samoa Global News. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  41. ^ Bethel Peato-Ale (17 October 2025). "PM unable to stand, NZ stay extended". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 17 November 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  42. ^ a b Bethel Peato-Ale (30 October 2025). "Toelupe meets officials over PM's NZ meetings". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 18 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  43. ^ Jarrett Malifa (26 October 2025). "NZ confirms meeting after Samoa Govt fake photo". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 18 November 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  44. ^ Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo (15 November 2025). "Press confronted on PM's return home". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 18 November 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  45. ^ a b Renate Rivers (17 November 2025). "Sāmoa Prime Minister bans nation's only newspaper from government access". Pacific Media Network. Retrieved 18 November 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  46. ^ "Samoan PM back home as reporter alleges assault outside his residence". Radio New Zealand. 17 November 2025. Archived from the original on 18 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laaulialemalietoa_Leuatea_Polataivao