Overview

• Polls opened Friday with ballots being cast nationwide after a formal campaign blackout ended under strict electoral rules.
• The contest features three leaders: caretaker prime minister Fiamē Naomi Mata‘afa of Samoans United (SUP), former prime minister Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele Malielegaoi of HRPP, and La‘aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polata‘ivao Schmidt of FAST.
• Cost of living dominates the vote, with consumer prices up nearly 30% since 2022 and everyday staples such as chicken sharply more expensive, according to local data and reporting.
• Rival platforms center on price relief: Fiamē proposes cutting tariffs on staple foods and expanding free health and education, Tuila‘epa pledges a 500 tala payment to every Samoan and a contentious inter‑island bridge, and La‘aulialemalietoa offers support for pregnant women and low‑income families.
• The outcome could influence Samoa’s external posture given a 2022 strategic partnership with China, notable debt repayments to Beijing, and differing records on China‑backed infrastructure such as the scrapped Vaiusu Bay port.