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Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - Web posted at 7:17:02 GMT No opposition controversy expected TANGENI AMUPADHITHE outgoing Speaker of the National Assembly, Mose Tjitendero, says it is unlikely that there will be another controversy about which party is the official opposition in parliament, because the voters have settled the debate. |
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In an interview on Friday, Tjitendero pointed out that having an official opposition was not a formal requirement, but only a way of making administration easier. He said this time around conventions, parliamentary practice and procedure are likely to be followed. "The largest single minority party is recognised as the official opposition," he said. The official opposition enjoys better perks than other opposition parties, and Government leaders in the National Assembly communicate their proposed policies and laws to the second largest party. In 1999, controversy arose when the DTA and UDF formed what they called a parliamentary coalition to pip the Congress of Democrats (CoD) to the status of official opposition. The CoD then had seven seats in the Assembly, just like the DTA. In last year's November elections, the CoD won five seats and the DTA four. Swapo won a landslide victory with 55 parliamentary seats. Tjitendero said when he allowed the DTA and UDF to combine in order to become the official opposition in 1999 it was because of the tie in the number of seats. This time, it is clear which is the largest minority party, he pointed out. However, Tjitendero added that the situation does not exclude the formation of coalitions. He noted that these can be formed merely to ensure that like-minded people vote together in parliament. The DTA said last week that it was talking to the UDF about extending their coalition agreement. * Tangeni Amupadhi is now a freelance contributor to The Namibian. |
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