Political parties negotiate, consider coalition possibility

A number of political parties registered for next year's General Election could join forces to give themselves a better a chance against the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.).

Aside from the H.R.P.P., there are already five political parties that have registered, not including the new party planned by Gagaifomauga No. 3 M.P., La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao.

The leader of Tautua Samoa, Afualo Dr. Wood Salele, confirmed the discussions but he would not go into details.

“It’s a matter of mathematics," he said. "If they [political parties] secure the other number put together with ours and get 25 members that is the goal."

He pointed out what is being considered is for the parties to negotiate which candidate from each party has the better chance in winning and then they need to compromise for a better outcome.

“If we go together and have a common understanding in terms of candidates then at the end of the day when we reach that number there is a possibility of a coalition,” he added. 

“It’s difficult to do that [coalition] at the moment because each party is committed in their own preparations but that is the strength of diversifying our options.” 

Furthermore, Afualo said their party is targeting certain seats that are sure can fill in the General Election. He said there are other unfilled seats that the party is willing to give to the other parties to retain the number. 

Afualo believes in the 2021 General Election there will be a change in the political sphere. 

Interim leader of the Samoa National Democratic Party (S.N.D.P.) Asiata Valasi Tafito said their party is in Savai'i and mainly out in the villages.  He said the party is reluctant to talk to the media until the nomination date in October. 

Former Cabinet Minister, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt was asked if the new political party yet to be launched entertains the idea of a coalition with other parties. 

Briefly, La’auli said it is definitely something to look at but he is unable to go into details at this stage.

Attempts to get a comment from the Samoa First Political Party, Unasa Iuni Sapolu were unsuccessful. 

The leader of Tautua and the S.N.D.P. said they will be announcing their candidates when the nomination period closes in October.