CAN HERMINIE SURVIVE THE PRESENT SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY?

Patrick Herminie, Speaker of the National AssemblyPatrick Herminie, the current Speaker of the National Assembly, finally got his warped wish last week by getting a white man to apologise to him in the National Assembly. However, what is troubling many people is the fact that Herminie, not a lawyer by profession, is clearly struggling in his new role as Speaker of the National Assembly. Many consider it a mistake to appoint Herminie as Speaker, as he was generally seen as doing a good job as leader of government business. Most political pundits expected him to be promoted to the post of Minister, preferably Health, similar to Danny Faure after a remarkable political display as leader of government business for a number of years. However, for reasons best known to President Michel this did not happen and many are now asking what next for Dr. Herminie?    Francis Macgregor has shown that there is still life after Speaker when the Constitutional Appointment Authority chaired by the erstwhile France Bonte recommended and President James Michel appointed him as President of the Court of Appeal amidst controversy and opposition. For Herminie however things may be very different as he is not a lawyer by profession and unless he is next in line to be appointed Vice President or President, Herminie seems to be destined to the mundane job of Speaker of the National Assembly for a long time to come.

Last week when the leader of the opposition suggested that Herminie should be made ambassador instead of Dick Esparon and the latter should have been made Speaker, Herminie seemed annoyed and voiced his frustration as the statement seems to have hit a raw nerve. To add insult to injury, Jean Francois Ferrari, the newly elected Member of the National Assembly for Mont Fleuri, last week tabled a motion asking the National Assembly to pass a resolution to remove Herminie as Speaker in accordance with article 83 of the Constitution. Although the motion is not expected to see the light of day, this has further embarrassed the Speaker as it is the first time a member of the National Assembly has tabled such a motion which could further damage and compromise the standing of Herminie in the region and internationally. The fact that the unpredictable Ferrari has tabled such a motion is expected to make international news as it is unprecedented. Herminie who has ruled the Assembly with an iron fist ever since he was appointed has curtailed freedom of speech and debate in the Assembly and two weeks ago threw out Bernard Georges for calling him a dictator. However, the manner and tone which he used to evict Georges from the Assembly shouting “Out! Out!” at the top of his lungs, took many people by surprise. Many SPPF MNAs have also expressed disappointment with Herminie’s approach in the Assembly and some have argued that he needs more time to settle as his inexperience is getting the better of him. Charles DeCommarmond is one of the few SPPF MNAs who has found it difficult to get on with Herminie addressing him derogatorily as “Mr. Speaker, Sir” instead of “Mr. Speaker” as provided for by the Standing Orders. Now that there is a pending motion calling for the removal of Herminie as Speaker of the National Assembly many are asking whether Herminie will survive the present session of the National Assembly.

July 20, 2007
Copyright 2007: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles