The leader of Samoa's opposition, Le Mamea Ropati, says he's still the leader of the opposition - despite a Speaker's ruling that leaves its members recognised only as independents in parliament.
The Parliament appears to be without an opposition party after Speaker, Toleafoa Fa'afisi, yesterday revoked recognition of the Samoa National Development Party.
This comes after Le Mamea informed the Speaker that the SNDP has been replaced by a new Opposition party, the Samoa Democratic United Party.
The Samoa Observer reports that the Speaker, Toleafoa Fa'afisi, told Parliament that Le Mamea informed him he was stepping down as SNDP leader.
Toleafoa said political parties can't be automatically replaced.
But, Le Mamea denies this, and says the speaker's ruling isn't based on law, because the new name that the Opposition is using has already been registered.
"It's not based on any law or speculation - it's just this ruling. Very unfair. The opposition party SDUP has already been registered, but it's not recognised inside parliament."
