Patrick Herminie a danger to our democracy

Patrick Herminie a danger to our democracy

Patrick Herminie, Speaker of the National Assembly

The newly appointed Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Patrick Herminie is now considered the biggest impediment to our nascent and evolving democracy. His resolve in suppressing free speech and curtailing the rights of members of the opposition to speak freely on behalf of the electorate is undeniable.

In only the second session after taking the oath of office, members of the National Assembly with the help of the Honourable Speaker are quickly turning this democratic institution into the biggest circus in Victoria. The Honourable Speaker, Mr. Patrick Herminie is religiously imposing the will (stifling debate) of his political masters on members representing the Opposition in the National Assembly.

Speaker Herminie is not finding the transition, from his previous post of Leader of Government Business to Speaker of the National Assembly an easy one to make. The Honourable gentleman seems unable to comprehend the notion of impartiality. It is common practice, at least in Seychelles, since the re-introduction of a pluralistic political system for the Speaker to come from the party in government. After his appointment the Speaker must be seen to behave in a manner which should clearly demonstrate his impartiality. This is not at all the case in the three sessions of the National Assembly which has taken place so far. The Speaker have taken it upon himself to protect the SPPF MNAs who are generally seen as weak and politically ineffective. This is particularly true in respect of two younger female MNAs who have been labelled the “Special Ones”.

Herminie began to show his true colours and lack of impartiality on the very opening of the National Assembly when he chose to take a family photograph with the SPPF MNAs but consciously refused to do the same with members of the opposition. Lately, he has been seen proudly flaunting his red JJ pen similar to all SPPF MNAs in the Assembly leaving no doubt to the imagination to where his true allegiance lies. On Tuesday he was quite in his element as he attempted to gag one opposition MNA after the other. He was considered harsh and unfair when he lashed out at Hon. Ferari causing the latter to reluctantly surrender his right to speak for the whole day. After interrupting Hon. Elizabeth repeatedly during his intervention he had the audacity to ask him which political party he belongs to. To add insult to injury, he aggressively called Hon. Ramkalawan to order, when the latter burst out laughing at a hilarious political “faux pas” committed by Hon. Marc Volcere from Grand Anse Praslin. This finally put the icing on top of what turned out to be a very sour cake.

Speaker Herminie is clearly coming down strong and hard on the Opposition MNAs who were heard calling for the return of the more tolerant Macgregor. Words like ‘Coup d’etat’, dictator and one-party State have all been banned from National Assembly debates. The enormous left hand of Speaker Herminie is permanently glued to his hammer and he has not failed to use it generously. One observer commented from the public gallery that in the three days that Herminie has been Speaker, he has literally banged it more often than Macgregor had in fifteen years.

Some members of the house from both sides have complained that the Speaker is ruling with an iron fist! His motto “Firm but fair” is now looking “More Firm than Fair”. Many have been taken by surprise that Mrs Sheila Banks chose to leave her job as clerk of the National Assembly in the week following the appointment of Herminie as Speaker. It is hoped that the constant banging of the hammer right behind her head has not prompted her to leave prematurely for fear of permanent damage to her sense of hearing. The SBC is urged to give in to public pressure and broadcast the National Assembly session in its entirety without any manipulation so that the electorate will have the opportunity to see for themselves the melodramatic behaviour of the Honourable Speaker.

In 2007, barely one year after wining the presidency, President Michel went back to the people asking them to vote for a serious National Assembly. The electorate could not appoint the proportionally elected members; this is the prerogative of President Michel. The people chosen by President Michel and his party are proving to be less worthy than the previous crop chosen by the SPPF in the now defunct Assembly. Herminie and his compatriots in the National Assembly will have to improve immensely if they, along with President Michel, are to be taken seriously.