Mozambique: Parliament starts new session; budget, president’s address on agenda

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Mozambique: Parliament starts new session; budget, president’s address on agenda

5:55 CAT | 15 Oct 2020

Mozambique’s parliament on Thursday resumed plenary sessions that are to run until 17 December, with the state budget for 2021, the annual statement from the country’s president, and the government’s Economic and Social Plan the main items on the agenda.

In total there are 31 items on the agenda, although this may increase, with a bill to establish eLabour Courts and proposals for a revision of the Penal Code and of the Code of Criminal Procedure among those to be considered.

The session now starting is also to include rounds of questions to members of the government on matters related to the governance of the country.

As usual, the first day of the session was marked by speeches from the speaker of parliament, Esperança Bias, and from the leaders of the three parliamentary parties, as well as the debate and vote on the list of subjects for debate in the session.

Parliament’s Standing Commission had previously announced that all 250 members are expected to be present at the start of the new session, but in order to allow physical distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, several dozen will occupy seats in the galleries normally reserved for the public.

After the first coronavirus cases in the country in March, parliament reduced the number of members present to the quorum required for deliberation, but that solution has now been abandoned.

The ruling Frelimo party has an absolute majority of seats in parliament, at 184, with the main opposition Renamo having 60 and the MDM six.

Mozambique had, by Thursday , reported a cumulative 10,537 cases of coronavirus, with 73 deaths associated with Covid-19 and 8,214 recorded cases of patients recovering.