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Samoa Parliament reduces Head of State’s term to ten years

Head of State, Highness Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II.
Source: Samoa Observer

Apia, SAMOA — The Samoa Government has amended the Constitution to reduce the term in office for the Head of State to ten years. 

And after the first term, the Head of State is only eligible upon reappointment for a second term. 

These amendments – known as the Head of State Constitutional Amendment Bill 2019 – were passed into law in Parliament last month.

Member of Parliament, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, was the only MP who voted against this bill.

Prior to this constitutional amendment, the Head of State served in office on appointment by the winning party and approved by Members of Parliament. 

Samoa’s Head of State, Highness Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II was appointed to office in July, 2017 and before that Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, who served for 10 years. 

The Constitution Amendment Act 2019 reads: 2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a person who holds, or who has held for one (1) term, office as Head of State, is only eligible for re-appointment to that Office once. (2A) A person who has held the office as Head of State for two (2) terms is not eligible to be reappointed to that Office.

 The Constitution Amendment Act 2019 is administered by the Office of the Attorney General.

Read more at Samoa Observer