The conservatism of the "fa'a Samoa," reinforced by the Church's influence, has underpinned Western Samoa's political stability. Allegiance to the two main parties is quite fluid, and politics have as much to do with personalities as policies. Until 1990, only the 1,800 elected chiefs, or "matai", could vote for the 47 ethnic Samoan seats; the other two seats are elected by non-Samoans. Universal suffrage was introduced at the 1991 elections, although only "matai" may run for the "fono," or parliament. Following the elections, Fiame Naomi, a woman chief, became the country's first female cabinet minister.
