Incumbent Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi refuses to concede power to recently elected Prime Minister Naomi Mataʻafa and a disputed government ensues with a FAST spokesman calling Malielegaoi's move as a "coup". New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern calls for upholding of democracy and law but rejects any interventionist role whereas the Federated States of Micronesia is the first country to recognize the legitimacy of Mataʻafa's government. Mataʻafa and FAST MPs remain locked out of parliament on the opening day of the new legislative session.