There are lots of uncertainties in the political hemisphere as some political leaders are saying one thing one minute and another the next. A certain thing that has arisen in the last few weeks is that everyone wants to be in power.

The other certain thing is the legal proceeding against the new leader of the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party La'auli Leuatea Schmidt. Trial dates have been set and charges against him finalised. For the chair of the FAST Party, the outcome of the legal proceedings will have a significant bearing on his political future.

To make it clear once again, La’auli has not been charged for allegedly causing the death of the teenager in 2021. La’auli is charged with 16 counts.

The first set of charges involves joint allegations against La'auli and four co-accused individuals: Samuelu Leau, Sivai Kepi Mamea, member of parliament Fepuleai Faimata Su'a, Lise Schmidt, and Faataumalamala Lio Auava.

These charges include three counts of conspiring or attempting to pervert the course of justice along with one count of conspiracy to commit an offence.

The second set of charges, which specifically targets La'auli, consists of five counts of harassment using electronic means, five counts of defamation, and two counts of issuing insulting words. Counsel Lui voiced objections to the charges brought against her client during the hearing.

The joint charges, already before the court, will be heard between 26 May and 27 June. The individual charges against La'auli will be heard during the week of 25 to 29 August.

In a press conference last week, a member of parliament floated the idea that since FAST holds the majority, they are the government and since La’auli is the leader, he should be prime minister. This is a serious notion and should be given serious consideration given the track record when he was responsible for agriculture and fisheries.

Check the imports and exports statistics and the numbers will tell you the story. Remember numbers do not lie. 

The law including the Constitution is open to elaboration on the issue of majority and this would require the courts to clarify what the law says about who is the government.

Even the Opposition has hinted at legal action to clarify if a minority can be in government. They have rightfully dubbed it as a constitutional crisis. The ambiguity in the nation’s laws and Constitution is leading us to another court case. Now this is also a serious predicament. 

Even if the court rules that the majority should form the government, the prime minister under the constitution still has powers to advise the Head of State and dissolve the parliament.

The judiciary will once again be required to set the record straight. This is also another lesson for lawmakers on how important clear and precise language is when it comes to law. Nothing should be left in the grey. Everything has to be black and white. It is or it is not. There cannot be an in-between.

For now, Fiame Naomi Mataafa is the prime minister and she has her cabinet who are running the show. She has challenged everyone saying the government is not working by asking for evidence that shows government services have stopped.

The next general elections are set for April 2026. This means that parliament will be dissolved sometime in January next year to allow for campaigns and everything that comes with the election.

Politicians are asking themselves, is it worth having a snap election and then getting ready for another one a year down the line? For some political leaders, it would mean foregoing their income and benefits but again if they are in politics to help the people who put them in there, that should not even be a question.

While the elected leaders consider these facts and play out political chess, the utmost certain thing is that a government needs to be in place to look after the nation and its people.