The last main government budget before the 2026 General Election will be tabled on Tuesday when parliamentarians return to the House to resume its business. 

Whether the Budget Appropriation for 2025-2026 tabled by the Minister of Finance will fall short of the majority to pass it and prompt an early election is yet to be seen. 

The budget approval will now depend on the Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party if they will set aside their differences and join forces to support the financial plan, or the opposition will be the kingmakers again and back the cabinet. Normally, the budget gets tabled and then referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee before it is referred back to the House for debate. 

Chairing the budget session is Speaker Papalii Lio Masipau, who has just won a legal challenge to cast a vote in deciding constitutional amendments, a victory that has been appealed by the opposition. 

Speaker Papalii was placed in hot water in the last sitting, when 13 cabinet ministers walked out of parliament when a motion to have him removed, alleging impartiality, was thrown out by the chair. 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Papalii confirmed the main agenda for Tuesday’s sitting is the government budget.

 “The tabling of the budget and debate is normally done this time of the year,” he said. 

“We hope to finalise tomorrow’s agenda by midnight, and the Office of the Clerk and the Legislative Assembly (OCLA) are working overnight for tomorrow’s setup and preparation.” 

Papalii noted the Parliamentary Commission, comprised of Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Opposition Leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Deputy Leader, Lauofo Fonotoe Pierre and Deputy Speaker, met on Monday afternoon to set the program. 

He added that there are no “surprise motions” on the agenda and is expecting a smooth meeting, stressing it will be business as usual. 

The Speaker was also asked about claims from the Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, that they had not been informed 14 days before parliament sits, as is the usual practice with the House business. 

In response, he said Tuilaepa did not raise any issue during their parliamentary commission meeting, adding he suspected it was just politics on display. 

Some of the key budget allocations that will be followed closely are whether the government will deliver its promise to roll out the remainder of the $5 million district development project for 51 districts. 

Since it’s the last main budget before the 2026 General Election, it is anticipated that the Office of the Electoral Commission will receive more funds to capture the operation and election registration.  

In addition, the public has also yet to hear from the government on their plans for assistance in response to the recent energy crisis affecting the main island of Upolu which will be an issue of interest. 

Parliament will hold its makeshift sitting from the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi convention centre as construction works are underway at the Mulinuu precinct.