Samoa has a new Head of State.

This morning the 50-member Parliament voted unanimously for a of the Council of Deputies or Council of Deputy Heads of State, Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, to become Samoa’s Head of State for the next five years.

This follows a caucus vote by the ruling Human rights Protection Party last night for Tuimalealiifano to replace Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi in the position.

The Speaker of Parliament introduced the motion by HRPP for Tuimaleaaliifano to serve as the new Head of State and the motion was passed unanimously by voice vote.

The election of Tuimaleaaliifano ends the service of the current Head of State Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi who has held the position since 2008.

Tuiatua’s second term as Head of State ends July 25.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said in parliament following the vote that the election of Tuimalealiifano was a historical milestone for Samoa.

He said the election was conducted democratically and noted that it was the will of God that Tuimalealiifano, who was in the running for head of state in the last two elections wait his turn to take up the seat.

The Prime Minister thanked Tuiatua for his selfless service for Samoa and wished the new Head of State well in his new position as the father of the nation.

Tuimalealiifano is a lawyer, and has been a senior police inspector, deputy commissioner of police and worked in the Attorney General’s Office before setting up private practice.

A swearing in ceremony is to be scheduled in the coming days.

Click here for motion and vote</s>Parliament appoints Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi as new Head of State

APIA, SAMOA – WEDNESDAY 05 JULY 2017: The Samoan parliament has just appointed a new Head of State.

Lawyer and long-time member of the Council of Deputies, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi 11 was unanimously elected in 20 minute session of parliament this morning after the ruling party caucus meeting last night.

The parliamentary session was only to formalize the selection when the Speaker made the written announcement from the Human Rights Protection Party and put the nomination to the vote.

The appointment is made by parliament under Section 18 (5) (a) of the Constitution on the advice of the ruling political party.

Tuimaleali’ifano, a holder of one of the paramount chiefly titles, Tama Aiga, replaces Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi who had served as Head of State for ten years and whose term ends 25 July 2017.

The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi congratulated the new appointee who he said was eligible for selection in 2007 after the passing of Malietoa Tanumafili 11 and again in 2012.

Tuilaepa also acknowledged incumbent Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and service as a Member of Parliament, Prime Minister, a Member of the Council of Deputies and Head of State.

Tuilaepa said Tui Atua has served with esteem and at the highest level for Samoa.

He said the selection of the Head of State was in accordance with the democratic process.

“But it was not easy as we are a very small country and we are interconnected as families that gave rise to the saying that Samoa is but one family,” said Tuilaepa.

It was brief and smooth and was over in 20 minutes and parliament was adjourned to 27 October 2017.

The swearing in of Tuimalealiifano as Head of State will be announced in due course.</s>Taxing Head of State is disrespectful says Church Council Secretary

APIA, SAMOA –TUESDAY 04 JULY 2017: The Secretary of the National Council of Churches Reverend Ma’auga Motu says taxing the Head of State is very disrespectful.

He said he was surprised when he heard that the Head of State was included in the tax Bill passed by parliament last week.

“I understand that we need money for economic development, but Samoa is known worldwide for her identity of respect,” said Reverend Motu.

He said the past governments recognized the respect rendered the Head of State and never included the Head of State or church ministers as tax payers.

Reverend Motu also raised the immunity status of the Head of State and if he was taxed.

During a consultation last week, Reverend Motu asked the Ministry of Inland Revenue’s Chief Executive Officer, Avalisa Viali – Fautuaali’i to calculate the tax cut from $175,000 which he said was the annual earnings of a pastor in the Vaimauga district.

“She said $41,000, and that is a very big cut,” said Reverend Motu.

He also pointed to the need to go back to claiming annual tax refunds as done in previous years to help the taxpayers.

Reverend Motu said both he and the Chairman of the National Council agree that the tax bill was introduced and discussed in such a short time, and what Government should have done was to write to all church ministers and churches in Samoa for their personal views.

“Most of the church ministers did not attend the public consultation on the issue,” said Reverend Motu.

In the lead up to the debate in parliament of the tax bill last week, the Minister of Revenue Tialavea Tinoisio Hunt said 19 church denominations were consulted and the objection by the Congregationalist and Methodists against the law have been duly recorded.</s>Head of States future rests on parliament this morning

APIA, SAMOA – WEDNESDAY 05 JULY 2017: Whether the Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi continues in the role for the next five years depends on Parliament this morning.

Reports after a ruling party caucus last night tend to favour a new candidate.

The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi downplayed the reports and told reporters last night to await an announcement in parliament at 0930 this morning as there is a legal process to be followed.

“If it is Tupua, then he will be in the role 15 years,” said Tuilaepa.

If it’s a new appointment, then a swearing in ceremony will be held tomorrow, according to the Prime Minister.

Given the governments dominance in parliament, the selection will be academic for whoever caucus supports.

Tuilaepa also told reporters that all members of the Council of Deputies are eligible as candidates.

Most senior of the Council members is paramount chief Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Suālauvī. Former Cabinet Ministers Le Mamea Ropati Mualia and Tuiloma Pule Lameko are in their first terms in office.

The ruling Human Rights Protection Party has been consolidating the role of Head of State to be open to a candidate the party with the majority in parliament nominates. In the spirit of the Constitution as well, future holders of the office do not have to be holders of the paramount chiefly titles – Tama Aiga.

When Samoa became independent in 1962, the role was held jointly by the Heads of State and paramount chiefs Malietoa Tanumafili 11 and Tupua Tamasese Meaole.

In 1963, Tupua Tamasese Meaole passed away and Malietoa was Head of State for 45 years until his passing in May 2007.

Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi was appointed as Head of State in 2008 despite being a harsh critic of the Human Rights Protection Party and its successive governments.
Samoa's Legislative Assembly appoints Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II as O le Ao o le Malo, or Head of State. He will succeed Tufuga Efi, the country's head of state since 2007, on July 25.