The Fa'atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party is launching a legal challenge regarding the legitimacy of the current government which they argue is operating as a "minority government." 

This move revealed by party chair and leader La'auli Leuatea Schmidt is one of the key steps they believe will help resolve the ongoing political impasse in Samoa.

During a recent media briefing, La'auli emphasised that the FAST party is not standing idle. 

"We are praying day and night," he stated, reiterating the party's commitment to resolving the issue. "God knows we are praying and looking for ways to resolve this issue," he added.

At the heart of the legal challenge is the assertion that Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and her cabinet were governing with insufficient support in the parliament, which the FAST party deems "illegal." 

La'auli made it clear that his party would not tolerate this situation, saying, "Are you going to allow that to happen? We will never accept that."

While acknowledging the legal process, La'auli suggested that removing the Prime Minister and her cabinet would not be a difficult task for his party. 

"If it was up to us, we could just throw them out of their offices. But we need to follow the law and take it to court," he said, underlining the party's commitment to a lawful resolution.

La'auli also expressed frustration over what they believe is a lack of action from key figures in the government, including the Attorney General and the Head of State. 

"What are they saying about what's going on? What does the legal adviser for the government have to say about this?" La'auli questioned, referring to the ongoing political crisis. 

"How can Fiame say we don't have the power and authority to question her when we, the party, crowned and appointed her to be the Prime Minister? Has she forgotten that we chose her and put her where she is right now?"

La'auli's criticism extended to the Head of State, with whom the FAST party has yet to secure a meeting. 

"We wrote to him and we requested a time to meet with him. Up until now, there has been nothing. All we wanted was an opportunity to meet with the Father of the country. But even that, we haven't been granted an opportunity," La'auli lamented.

Despite these challenges, La'auli assured the public that the party's legal team—in Samoa and internationally—is working tirelessly to pursue the case. 

"We are also looking at when they table the budget in the coming months," he added. "If there will be a chance then for them to be removed, we will not back down. We will take every opportunity we get to remove them because we can never allow them to continue governing when they have the least number of seats, with some of them no longer belonging to a political party."

As the political situation in Samoa continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the legal proceedings, as well as the upcoming parliamentary budget discussions, which may present the FAST party with another opportunity to challenge the government's legitimacy.