Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has welcomed the registration of a new political party to contest the 2021 general election.
Tuilaepa said Samoa First or Muamua Samoa will be good for democracy as long as its leaders have integrity.
"Issues they raise must have substance and important for the growth of the country," he said.
Samoa PM Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Photo: RNZI- -Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Tuilaepa said the party is made up of people from his electorate of Lepa and that a lawyer, listed as one of the signatories for the registration, is his cousin.
The Samoa Observer reports the party's secretary is Feagaima'alii Bruce To'omalatai and that lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu is a member.
Tuilaepa said three of the signatories, including a former church minister turned radio announcer, are from the Auelua family of Lepa.
He told reporters yesterday that since his Human Rights Protection Party swept to power in the 1980s, about six political parties had come and gone.
The prime minister's Human Rights Protection Party holds 47 seats in the 50 seat Fono beside three independents.
He said parliament needs a good opposition which was why he had informally called some of his party's backbenchers the opposition.
Samoa First is expected to be officially launched in December.
