O le Ao o le Malo

Common card · No. 275643

The O le Ao o le Malo (Samoan for 'chief of state') is the head of state of Samoa. The office is equivalent to a ceremonial president in parliamentary republics. The title is usually translated into English as Head of State or by the initialism HOS. At the time the constitution was adopted, it was anticipated that future heads of state would be chosen from among the four tamaʻāiga paramount chieftains in line with customary protocol. However, this is not a constitutional requirement. Since the election is not restricted to the "royal" lineages and is done by the country's elected parliament, Samoa is considered a elective monarchy along the lines of Malaysia or the UAE. The government press secretariat describes the O le Ao o le Malo as a "ceremonial president". Similar to monarchs, the holder is given the formal style of His Highness, as is the case with the four tamaʻāiga. The Council of Deputies collectively acts as the deputy to the head of state, substituting in the event of a vacancy...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Original: Malietoa Tanumafili II and Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole Vector: See the file history below for details., Public domain