Samoa - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Samoa, it was the name's meaning and origin are unclear; some assert that it can mean "place of the moa bird" of Polynesian mythology, or it could be a local chieftain's name. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
National symbols
Southern Cross constellation (five five-pointed stars).
The flag
The National flag of Samoa has .
Info
The National Anthem
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More about the government of Samoa
| Date of Independence | 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) |
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| National holiday | Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962) |
| Legal system | mixed system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts involving fundamental citizen rights |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous (pre-independence); latest 1 January 1962 |
| Amendment process | Proposed as an act by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the third reading, provided at least 90 days have elapsed since the second reading, and assent of the chief of state; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles on customary land or constitutional amendment procedures also requires at least two-thirds majority approval in a referendum |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | at least one parent must be a citizen of Samoa |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 5 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister La'auli Leuatea SCHMIDT (since 16 September 2025) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the chief of state on the advice of the prime minister |
| Election/appointment process | chief of state indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a 5-year term (2-term limit); following legislative elections, the chief of state usually appoints the leader of the majority party as prime minister, with the approval of the Legislative Assembly |
| Most recent election date | 23 August 2022 |
| Election results | TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (independent) unanimously reelected by the Legislative Assembly |
| Expected date of next election | 2026 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Legislative Assembly (Fono) |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 51 (all directly elected) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 8/29/2025 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) (32); Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) (22) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 9.8% |
| Expected date of next election | August 2030 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 2 Supreme Court judges and meets once or twice a year); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several judges) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Chief justice appointed by the chief of state on the advice of the prime minister; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body chaired by the chief justice and includes the attorney general and an appointee of the Minister of Justice; judges normally serve until retirement at age 68 |
| Subordinate courts | District Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land and Titles Courts; village chief councils |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Pa’olelei LUTERU (since 7 July 2021); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN |
| Chancery | 685 Third Avenue, 44th Street, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10017 |
| Telephone | [1] (212) 599-6196 |
| FAX | [1] (212) 599-0797 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] About | Samoa Permanent Mission to the United Nations |
| Consulate(s) general | Pago Pago (American Samoa) |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | The US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa |
| Embassy | 5th Floor, Accident Corporation Building, Matafele Apia |
| Mailing address | 4400 Apia Place, Washington DC 20521-4400 |
| Telephone | [685] 21-436 |
| FAX | [685] 22-030 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://ws.usembassy.gov/ |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Samoa
Info
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Samoa
Want to know more about Samoa? Check all different factbooks for Samoa below.
