Bill reducing President’s power passed

Senegal’s National Assembly has passed a Bill revising the balance of power between the country’s executive and Parliament, prompting the President to announce a national referendum on the matter, reports Vanguard Nigeria. The Bill was passed by an overwhelming majority in a tense atmosphere marked by heated exchanges, an opposition boycott and scuffles outside the building during which police used tear gas, AFP journalists saw. The measure strengthens the powers of the National Assembly and the Prime Minister, while effectively curtailing the powers of the President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The Pastef party, led by Faye’s rival and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, proposed the measure. Faye fired Sonko as Prime Minister in May and Sonko was swiftly named Speaker of the National Assembly, which is controlled by Pastef. The opposition and various civil society organisations have criticised the amendment. During the debates, Faye’s Justice Minister announced the President’s intention to put the matter to a vote, though no date was specified.

Full report in Vanguard Nigeria