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Reference.org
Legislative Assembly of Samoa
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<p>The Legislative Assembly , also known as the Parliament of Samoa (<a href="/facts/Samoan_language/mpCAULTg">Samoan</a>: <i>Palemene o Samoa</i>), is the national <a href="/facts/Legislature/ycUCe91S">legislature</a> of <a href="/facts/Samoa/lyQ1B9YV">Samoa</a>, seated at <a href="/facts/Apia/0DBqgzMl">Apia</a>, where the country's central administration is situated. Samoan Parliament is composed of two parts: the <a href="/facts/O_le_Ao_o_le_Malo/tKADPWbe">O le Ao o le Malo</a> (<a href="/facts/Head_of_state/U2QzdE4a">head of state</a>) and the Legislative Assembly. </p><p>In the <a href="/facts/Samoan_language/mpCAULTg">Samoan language</a>, the Legislative Assembly of Samoa is sometimes referred to as the Samoan Fono while the <i>government</i> of the country is referred to as the Malo. The word <i>fono</i> is a Samoan and Polynesian term for councils or meetings great and small and applies to national assemblies and legislatures, as well as local village councils. </p><p>The modern government of Samoa exists on a national level alongside the country's <i><a href="/facts/Fa%2527amatai/xkUYfywY">fa'amatai</a></i> indigenous chiefly system of governance and social organisation. In his or her own right, the <a href="/facts/O_le_Ao_o_le_Malo/tKADPWbe">O le Ao o le Malo</a> can summon and call together the Legislative Assembly, and can prorogue or dissolve Parliament, in order to either end a parliamentary session or call a general election on behalf of the <a href="/facts/Prime_Minister_of_Samoa/xGTCkDMs">Prime Minister of Samoa</a>. </p>