Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo Meredith is a Samoan politician who served as the leader of the opposition from January to July 2023. A former deputy prime minister, he is a member of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP).
Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo | |
|---|---|
 Lauofo in 2011 | |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 27 January 2023 – 5 July 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Fiamē Naomi Mata‘afa |
| Preceded by | Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi |
| Succeeded by | Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa | |
| In office 21 March 2011 – 18 March 2016 | |
| Prime Minister | Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele Malielegaoi |
| Preceded by | Misa Telefoni Retzlaff |
| Succeeded by | Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa |
| Minister of Trade, Labour, Industry and Commerce | |
| In office 21 March 2011 – 18 March 2016 | |
| Prime Minister | Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele Malielegaoi |
| Preceded by | Misa Telefoni Retzlaff |
| Succeeded by | Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell |
| Member of the Samoan Parliament for Anoama‘a Sisifo | |
| Assumed office 18 March 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Tagaloa Sale Tagaloa |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Human Rights Protection Party |
Lauofo was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in a by-election in 2005.[1] He was re-elected in the 2006 Samoan general election.
He was re-elected unopposed at the 2011 election after the candidate from the opposition Tautua Samoa Party was declared ineligible,[2] and appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, Industry and Commerce.[3] In January 2014 he was charged with obstructing police after instructing Associate Minister Muagututagata Peter Ah Him to drive away from a police breath test.[4] In April 2014 he was convicted,[5] and fined US$90.[6] The conviction was overturned in 2017.[7] In the intervening period Lauofo was re-elected in the 2016 election, but was not reappointed to Cabinet.[8][9]
Lauofo was re-elected at the 2021 election. Following the election, he was elected HRPP deputy leader.[10]
On 27 January 2023, parliament elected Fonotoe as opposition leader,[11] succeeding Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele Malielegaoi whose tenure was terminated due to his suspension from the legislature.[12] After the suspension was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, Tuila‘epa again became opposition leader.[13]
References
edit- ^ "SAMOA VILLAGE PENALIZES FAMILY FOR VOTE". Pacific Islands Report. 24 March 2005. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ "Samoa head of state declares election of two unopposed HRPP candidates". RNZ. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ "Former opposition leader in Samoa joins new ruling party cabinet". RNZ. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ "Samoa Deputy PM and associate minister charged over traffic offences". RNZ. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ "Samoa court found deputy PM and his associate minister guilty". RNZ. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ "Convicted Samoa Deputy PM apologises". RNZ. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu (12 December 2017). "Conviction against former Deputy P.M. quashed". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ "Former Samoa deputy PM left out of cabinet". RNZ. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ "Former deputy PM left out of cabinet". Cook Islands News. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ Marieta H Ilalio (23 April 2021). "HRPP Selects Fonotoe as Deputy Leader". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ "Tuilaepa No Longer Opposition Leader In Parliament". Newsline Samoa. 27 January 2023. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ Mataiʻa Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (11 November 2022). ""Tuilaepa not recognised as Opposition Leader"". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (5 July 2023). "Speaker to recognise Tuilaepa as Opposition Leader". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
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