Speaker of the House Li’o Papalii confirmed that a notice of extension for the Head of State’s term was submitted to Parliament.
“The extension is for three months,” he said.
In an interview with Radio Polynesia, the Speaker said Parliament will meet on 23 August and will determine then whether to extend the term of the Head of State as its subject to approval by Parliament upon endorsement by the winning party.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa during a press conference with the media last week, confirmed Tuimalealiifano’s term has ended.
However, there is a provision that allows the extension of his term until Parliament convenes next month.
Prime Minister Fiame reaffirmed the current law stands that the winning party will appoint a Head of State and then be subjected to the approval of Parliament.
Samoa’s Head of State, his Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II was appointed to office in July 2017.
Two years later the Tuilaepa Administration amended the Constitution which was passed into law in Parliament in January 2019, limiting the term of the Head of State to two terms a maximum of 10 years in office.
