Ethiopian opposition consider boycotting new parliament

Sept 10, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia’s main opposition coalition is considering boycotting the new parliament, saying rules that were passed at the last minute by the old legislature were intended to clip their powers and intimidate opposition lawmakers.

The new rules stipulate that only parties with 51% of seats in the legislature could propose motions and present an agenda to the parliament, Hailu Araya, spokesman of the main opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), said Saturday.

The rules were intended to cripple the powers of opposition parties that won 174 seats in the 547-seat parliament during the May 15 elections – a big jump from the 12 they held after polls in 2000, he said. Previously, parties with 20% of seats were allowed to present motions in parliament.

(AP/ST)