Recall of parliament threatens Zimbabwe talks
The Telegraph
Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party raised the pressure on the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change, announcing that it would convene
parliament next week, potentially heralding the final breakdown of
their negotiations.
By Sebastien Berger Southern Africa Correspondent
19 Aug 2008
The calling of the legislature, elected on March 29, has been on hold
pending the outcome of talks between the two sides. With the
negotiations deadlocked on their relative powers in a proposed
government of national unity, Robert Mugabe's move could see the
process ending without a deal being reached.
"The swearing in would take place on Monday or Tuesday to enable new
legislators to execute [the] mandate they were given by the people,"
Austin Zvoma, a parliamentary clerk, told state television.
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding governing the
negotiations, neither side is supposed to "take any decisions or
measures that have a bearing on the agenda save by consensus
[including] the convening of parliament or the formation of a new
government".
The MDC said last night it did not object to calling parliament, but
under the constitution a cabinet is supposed to be formed once the
legislature is sitting.
"If he goes further and appoints a cabinet, it will be against the
letter and spirit of the MOU," said a party spokesman, Tapiwa
Mashakada.
Mr Tsvangirai's party has 100 seats in the lower house, Zanu-PF 99, and
a smaller MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara holds the balance of
power with 10 seats. There is one independent.
But in Zimbabwe's existing power framework, the presidency is in a
position to dominate parliament.
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