Alataua lawmaker Savali Talavou Ale is expected to carry on as Speaker of the House when the 34th Legislature convenes for the first time in January 2015.

Samoa News spoke to several faipule who were on the ‘opposition’ from the previous legislature who expressed that they have committed to supporting Savali, who is the longest serving member of the Fono, with over three decades under his belt.

During the 33rd legislature, Ituau Rep. Taotasi Archie Soliai challenged Savali for the Speaker position and lost with a final vote of 13-7.

Taotasi sought re-election on Nov. 4 but lost.

Some of Savali’s supporters will not be returning to the Fono as well, including Vice Speaker Iaulualo Talia Faafetai and Atualevao Gafatasi Afalava.  

Samoa News understands that Savali has already begun soliciting support from some faipule who were on the opposing side two years ago and his attempts have proven successful.

One faipule from that group told Samoa News yesterday that he is almost certain Savali will run unopposed, as the majority — if not all — of the House membership has already committed their support.

He said, “During the previous Legislature, none of us who were on the opposing side were assigned committee chairmanship positions and I don’t want to do that to the people of my district who voted me in. Their voices need to be heard.”

He added, “We tried to figure out how to approach this and realized that we just don’t have the numbers to go up against Savali.”

(Two years ago, freshman faipule who supported Savali were assigned to chair different House committees while those on the opposition were shut down, including being limited to only one question per hearing).

Another faipule who jumped ship said that it is only logical for them to support Savali so they can at least have some kind of say, as far as being appointed to chair or at least be members of key committees in the House of Representatives, in addition to being able to get everyone on the same page and work together.

In the meantime, a challenge filed by the losing candidate in the Alataua District, against Savali alleges election law violations in some of the polling stations — it will be heard this coming Friday before the Appellate Court, with Chief Justice Michael Kruse, Associate Justice John L Ward and Associate Judges, Logoai Siaki and Satele Lili’o presiding.