O le Ao o le Malo
| O le Ao o le Malo of the Independent State of Samoa | |
|---|---|
| O le Ao o le Malo o le Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa | |
since 21 July 2017 | |
| Style | His Highness |
| Type | Head of state |
| Residence | Vailele |
| Seat | Apia |
| Appointer | Legislative Assembly |
| Term length | Five years, renewable once |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Samoa |
| Inaugural holder | |
| Formation | 1 January 1962 |
| Deputy | Members of the Council of Deputies |
| Salary | US$82,000 annually |
| Website | www.samoagovt.ws |
| Constitution |
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The O le Ao o le Malo (lit. 'chief of the state' in Samoan) is the head of state of Samoa. The office is equivalent to a ceremonial president in parliamentary republics. In English, it is alternatively referred to using the title of Head of State (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 parliamentary republic rather than an 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 or when the head of state cannot otherwise fulfill their duties. The incumbent head of state is Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II, who was elected to a five-year term in 2017 and re-elected in 2022.