One of the Pacific's only female leaders has lost her grip on power, triggering an early election in Samoa, after failing to pass the national budget in the country's parliament.
Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa conceded defeat on the floor of parliament on Tuesday morning after her government's budget was voted down 34-16.
"The necessary processes have been completed and parliament's decision is clear," she said.
Known as the Pacific's "Iron lady", Fiame will now seek a dissolution of parliament and will lead Samoa as its caretaker leader until Samoans go to the polls for an early election.
Her announcement follows months of political instability and infighting between the prime minister and members of her former party, the FAST Party, which expelled her earlier in the year.
The expulsion came after Fiame forced the resignation of her former colleague and chairman of the FAST Party, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, after he was charged with serious criminal offences.
Mr Schmidt then isolated Fiame, meaning she was effectively leading the country in minority government.
After a series of unsuccessful no-confidence motions — where Fiame's marital status was also questioned — today Mr Schmidt and Samoa's official opposition party, led by former long-term prime minister Tuila?epa Sa?ilele Malielegaoi, succeeded in bringing about an early election.
Deputy head of the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University, George Carter, said no matter the outcome of the upcoming election, Fiame would leave behind an impressive legacy.
"She is someone who brought about change and transformation, who defeated a party that was in power for 40 years," he said.
"She is a leader who has used all political and traditional capital to bring people together to fight for anti-corruption and built confidence in her public service."
[YouTube Fiame and gender]Fiame won a groundbreaking election in 2021, ending four decades of rule by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), led by Tuila?epa Sa?ilele Malielegaoi, becoming the first woman head of government in Samoa.
If she were to lose the election, it would make Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine the only remaining female leader in the Pacific region.
However, Dr Carter said Fiame's political career was far from over.
"Many will watch to see if a new party under Fiame will come forth, so there's still a lot of action and intrigue to come," he said.
