TROUKLER
WILL SPPF MAKE A MOCKERY OF THE LAW FOR POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY?
Rumours have it that the SPPF will ignore the rules of the National Assembly, which was passed in unanimity in August 1994 when the DP was the official opposition, to re-debate a new motion of dissolution which they expect to pass on the strength of their numbers. If this happens, it will make the Legislative body a laughing stock of the world and a shame on our country.
The rules, the National Assembly Standing Orders 1994, were drawn up largely by the SPPF members themselves based on those of the British Parliament. Article 29 (2) states very explicitly: “A notice of motion, which, in the opinion of the Speaker, amounts to an attempt to reconsider a specific question upon which the Assembly has decided during the last twelve months shall be disallowed by the Speaker unless it be a notice of a motion to rescind such a previous decision of the Assembly.” So what political equivalents of a Houdini trick will the SPPF try, to get around this solid political obstacle?
The specific question here, readers are reminded, was whether the National Assembly should dissolve itself. The motion put forward by the Leader of the Opposition, explicitly asked the members of the Assembly to vote for a dissolution, which under article 111 of the Seychelles Constitution they can do. Had they voted yes by a two thirds majority, the Assembly would have been dissolved the next day automatically. The question was put and a majority of the members voted against. Now Article 29 of the rules of the National Assembly says this question (dissolution by its members) cannot be visited until twelve months have elapsed.
So what about this rumour that there will be a motion to rescind this decision? What decision? The Assembly made no decision. It was asked by the motion to explicitly make one – that is dissolve itself – and it said no. So there is no decision to rescind. And the rule says that the Speaker shall disallow any motion of dissolution because this topic cannot be re-visited. The Speaker, in effect does not have a discretion. Will the SPPF now dump all the rules of the National Assembly? For that is the only option left.
Once again, it appears that the SPPF leadership has check-mated itself. Democratic politics turns out to be more sophisticated than they thought.
GRUMPY OLD MAN OF
The former dictator-president of
During the SPPF election rally (masquerading as an anniversary celebration) Mr Rene spent the five minutes his all too evident failing health permitted him, to deride every leading politician in the opposition parties. Every one of them, according to Mr Rene, was either a failed priest, a failed marriage partner, a failed lawyer, a failed politician, etc. His speech elicited this rebuff from a critic: isn’t it ironic that in his lifetime Mr Rene has been all these.
The attacks on politicians in the opposition were so vile and Rene spent so much time on the negative that the party propagandist almost could not find any positive or non-libellous bit to broadcast on SBC. So they spent most of the favourable broadcast time allowed them by SBC showing us the supporters (mostly underage voters) dancing as well as an artist performing.
The only positive statement Rene made was to praise Michel as a capable person. But what Michel was capable of doing he did not say, certainly not running the country, because in the same breath, Rene admitted that he is being inundated with complaints, about the failings of the two year old Michel administration. Rene has built a second “State House” in his grand SR 2 million customised office at Maison du Peuple – the SPPF headquarters - from where he directs the government. It took him one month to clear out of the real presidential office at the official State House.
Mr Michel is not the problem, Mr Rene grumpily protested to the diminished crowd of 2500 party supporters. Civil servants who sympathise with the opposition are to blame, for the failures of Michel’s administration, he lambasted. And, in his usual style, when faced with obvious failures of his policies and agenda, Rene turned to personal threats – like the proverbial bully. He threatened thousands of civil servants with the sack if Michel is re-elected.
During the one-party state he would have called them enemies of the people.