a member of the council of deputies and explained to him that he was likely to become the next head of state. Tuimalealiʻifano refused to withdraw, to which the council responded, "then do as you please". He then continued to argue against the council's decision and brought up delicate issues which inflamed tensions between himself and the council. Tuimalealiʻifano was ultimately defeated in a landslide by Misa, earning 38% of the vote to his opponent's 61%. Tuimalealiʻifano's parliamentary bid left him in over WS$200,000 in debt. Increased tensions during the campaign led the village council to banish Tuimalealiʻifano from Falelatai several weeks after the election. Some individuals who voted for Tuimalealiʻifano were also banished. Statesman He was a member of the Council of Deputies to the Head of State from 1993 to 2001 and since 2004. He was sworn in as O le Ao o le Malo on 21 July 2017. In 2019, he hosted the visit of President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2021 Constitutional crisis In May 2021, Sualauvi purported to revoke the results of the 2021 election and call new elections. The decision was overturned by the Samoa Supreme Court on 17 May 2021. Sualauvi then issued a proclamation to prevent the Legislative Assembly of Samoa from meeting, triggering a constitutional crisis. In July 2022 his term of office was extended until the next parliamentary sitting in August. On 23 August 2022 he was reappointed as head of state for a further five-year term. Chancellor of USP On 1 July 2022, Tuimalealiʻifano's term as the 29th chancellor of the University of the South Pacific commenced, succeeding Niue's Dalton Tagelagi. Tuimalealiʻifano's term is expected to conclude on 30 July 2023. Education Sualauvi has a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the Australian National University and a Certificate and Diploma in Theological Studies from Malua Theological College. Notes References External links Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II: Official site |- |- |- 1947 births Australian National University alumni Living people Members of the Council of Deputies O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa Samoan police officers Samoan chiefs Samoan Christian clergy Samoan lawyers Samoan Congregationalists 21st-century Samoan politicians