Left to right: FAST Party chairman La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Photo: RNZ Pacific/123RF/Samoa Government/FAST Party
After months of political instability and surviving two motions of no confidence, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has finally conceded to an early election.
The government's budget was voted down at its first reading in Parliament this week, forcing the Prime Minister's hand.
Parliament will be dissolved next week, and the country will have an early return to the polls.
RNZ Pacific journalist Grace Fiava'ai, who broke the story of Fiame's dissolution, explains what led to it.
