Apia, Samoa – The Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party has secured a decisive victory in Samoa's general election held on august 29, 2025, heralding a significant shift in the nation's political leadership. Unofficial results confirm that the FAST party, led by its founder and chairman La'auli Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, won 30 of the 50 seats in the Legislative Assembly, well over the 26 required to form a government.

The outcome positions La'auli Leuatea Schmidt as the country's anticipated new prime minister. The victory marks a major consolidation of power for the FAST party, which came to prominence after a prolonged political crisis following the 2021 election.

This election saw a dramatic realignment of political fortunes. The opposition Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) secured 14 seats, while four seats were won by independent candidates. Incumbent prime minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, who had previously led FAST to victory in 2021, saw her newly formed Samoa Uniting Party (SUP) gain just three seats. Fiamē, who departed from FAST earlier this year, successfully retained her own seat but failed to build wider support for her new political vehicle.

The snap election was called after a period of political instability. In june, parliament was dissolved after Fiamē's government was unable to pass its budget, triggering the nationwide poll. The results reflect a decisive turn by the electorate towards the leadership of La'auli and the FAST party's platform.

Following the vote, the head of state, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, officially confirmed the members of the new parliament. A constitutional provision requiring that at least 10 percent of parliamentary seats be held by women will also come into effect. With only five women directly elected, an additional seat will be allocated to a female candidate to meet the quota, bringing the total number of members to 51.

While the election has been met with a public sense of relief and hope for stability and progress, it was not without controversy. A police investigation was launched into allegations that some candidates breached electoral laws by entering the Office of the Electoral Commission compound while the official vote count was underway.

As the final results are officially gazetted, Samoa prepares for a new government under the FAST party, with many citizens expressing optimism for a renewed focus on the nation's well-being.