Ardern hails Samoa’s ‘significant’ step
It is certainly a meaningful thing when you see a historic decision made when an office is held by a woman.
Jacinda Ardern, NZ Prime Minister
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says having a woman Prime Minister in Samoa for the first time is a “historic decision”.
It follows rulings in Samoa’s Supreme Court yesterday that pave the way for the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party, better known as Fast, to gain an electoral majority.
Fast’s leader, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, is expected to seek the recall of Parliament so she can declare a Government — and become Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister.
It was a “significant” moment in history, Ardern said at her postCabinet press conference yesterday.
“We’ve seen some decisions made today where that ultimately could be the final outcome. Having been a member of the Pacific Island Forum and those leaders’ dialogue, it feels very significant,” she said.
“We of course respect the outcomes of any democratically led election. But it is certainly a meaningful thing when you see a historic decision made when an office is held by a woman.”
Asked about what is seen as caretaker Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s attempt to hold power, Ardern said she needed to respect each country’s processes which need to run their course.
Earlier yesterday, Samoa’s Supreme Court dismissed the Head of State’s decision to call a second election, clearing the path for the newcomer Fast party to form a Government.