Political parties have been in a series of discussions and negotiations with the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) on various key issues. The process is regarded vital in widening the political space in the country, and accommodating diverse political views.
Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) Party Chairman Tigistu Awolu indicates that the negotiation is monumental in bringing new paradigm in the Ethiopian election system. The previous majority system which leaves substential amount of votes behind has been substituted by mixed system. This means the previous majority system will continue and proportional representation system has been included.
“Every vote that meets the minimum threshold will get parliamentary seat, plus the rest votes will be calculated and the largest reminder will also help to get seats.
Hence, the number of seats of the federal parliament which is 550 would be raised by 110. “We have concluded this process and the parliament may endorse it.”
In my view, this is a great leap forward to widen political space of the country, but it is not the single most important tool to cultivate democracy. It should be accompanied by free and fair election.
All Ethiopians National Party (AENP) Chairman Lij Mesfin Shiferaw is of the same opinion with Tigistu.
The negotiations have borne fruits in that it helped to introduce mixed election system and proportional representation.
Asked whether the ongoing political parties’ negotiation will widen the country’s political space, Lij Mesfin said: “in principle the political space is widening but we will see it in practice in the future.”
The political parties’ negotiation would bring a paradigm shift in the nation’s political plurality, Lij Mesfin emphasized.The negotiation is under way three daysa week aiming to conclude basic negotiation agendas within short period of time, he added.
Lij Mesfin underlined that issues such as national consensus, charities and societies law as well as press proclamation, among others, are the agendas on the table.
The negotiation is said to be on a win-win base with minor challenges and its result will be seen on the coming local election of Addis Ababa. However, Tigistu says that it may not be used in the Addis Ababa’s election which comes in few months time for it also needs constitutional amendment regarding parliamentary seats.
Regarding opposition’s political parties’ commitment to run the negotiation successfully, Lij Mesfin noted that every negotiator is expected to use this golden opportunity properly.
EPRDF has opened its doors to parties, and failure to seize this opportunity will be a loss to any party and the country’s political process, he added.
“Parties that haven’t been participating in the ongoing negotiation may wrongly perceive as the process wouldn’t bring changes. But, we are participating actively, and tangible results are being registered.”
For his part, Mekelle University Department of Political Science and Strategic Studies Asst. Prof. Yemane Zeray said that a given country’s political parties’ governing principles and platforms spring from constitution. If the playing field is not appropriate to the parties, it might require discussion to create conducive political environment, he added.
He indicated that opposition political parties should be well prepared to reflect and comment their political view [stance] frankly to get substantial result from the negotiation.
For him, the discussion is crucial to widen political space. And it is through discussion that changes could be achieved. They can build consensus on policies, strategies as well as political options.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) Party Chairman Tigistu Awolu indicates that the negotiation is monumental in bringing new paradigm in the Ethiopian election system. The previous majority system which leaves substential amount of votes behind has been substituted by mixed system. This means the previous majority system will continue and proportional representation system has been included.
“Every vote that meets the minimum threshold will get parliamentary seat, plus the rest votes will be calculated and the largest reminder will also help to get seats.
Hence, the number of seats of the federal parliament which is 550 would be raised by 110. “We have concluded this process and the parliament may endorse it.”
In my view, this is a great leap forward to widen political space of the country, but it is not the single most important tool to cultivate democracy. It should be accompanied by free and fair election.
All Ethiopians National Party (AENP) Chairman Lij Mesfin Shiferaw is of the same opinion with Tigistu.
The negotiations have borne fruits in that it helped to introduce mixed election system and proportional representation.
Asked whether the ongoing political parties’ negotiation will widen the country’s political space, Lij Mesfin said: “in principle the political space is widening but we will see it in practice in the future.”
The political parties’ negotiation would bring a paradigm shift in the nation’s political plurality, Lij Mesfin emphasized.The negotiation is under way three daysa week aiming to conclude basic negotiation agendas within short period of time, he added.
Lij Mesfin underlined that issues such as national consensus, charities and societies law as well as press proclamation, among others, are the agendas on the table.
The negotiation is said to be on a win-win base with minor challenges and its result will be seen on the coming local election of Addis Ababa. However, Tigistu says that it may not be used in the Addis Ababa’s election which comes in few months time for it also needs constitutional amendment regarding parliamentary seats.
Regarding opposition’s political parties’ commitment to run the negotiation successfully, Lij Mesfin noted that every negotiator is expected to use this golden opportunity properly.
EPRDF has opened its doors to parties, and failure to seize this opportunity will be a loss to any party and the country’s political process, he added.
“Parties that haven’t been participating in the ongoing negotiation may wrongly perceive as the process wouldn’t bring changes. But, we are participating actively, and tangible results are being registered.”
For his part, Mekelle University Department of Political Science and Strategic Studies Asst. Prof. Yemane Zeray said that a given country’s political parties’ governing principles and platforms spring from constitution. If the playing field is not appropriate to the parties, it might require discussion to create conducive political environment, he added.
He indicated that opposition political parties should be well prepared to reflect and comment their political view [stance] frankly to get substantial result from the negotiation.
For him, the discussion is crucial to widen political space. And it is through discussion that changes could be achieved. They can build consensus on policies, strategies as well as political options.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
Political parties have been in a series of discussions and negotiations with the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) on various key issues. The process is regarded vital in widening the political space in the country, and accommodating diverse political views.
Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) Party Chairman Tigistu Awolu indicates that the negotiation is monumental in bringing new paradigm in the Ethiopian election system. The previous majority system which leaves substential amount of votes behind has been substituted by mixed system. This means the previous majority system will continue and proportional representation system has been included.
“Every vote that meets the minimum threshold will get parliamentary seat, plus the rest votes will be calculated and the largest reminder will also help to get seats.
Hence, the number of seats of the federal parliament which is 550 would be raised by 110. “We have concluded this process and the parliament may endorse it.”
In my view, this is a great leap forward to widen political space of the country, but it is not the single most important tool to cultivate democracy. It should be accompanied by free and fair election.
All Ethiopians National Party (AENP) Chairman Lij Mesfin Shiferaw is of the same opinion with Tigistu.
The negotiations have borne fruits in that it helped to introduce mixed election system and proportional representation.
Asked whether the ongoing political parties’ negotiation will widen the country’s political space, Lij Mesfin said: “in principle the political space is widening but we will see it in practice in the future.”
The political parties’ negotiation would bring a paradigm shift in the nation’s political plurality, Lij Mesfin emphasized.The negotiation is under way three daysa week aiming to conclude basic negotiation agendas within short period of time, he added.
Lij Mesfin underlined that issues such as national consensus, charities and societies law as well as press proclamation, among others, are the agendas on the table.
The negotiation is said to be on a win-win base with minor challenges and its result will be seen on the coming local election of Addis Ababa. However, Tigistu says that it may not be used in the Addis Ababa’s election which comes in few months time for it also needs constitutional amendment regarding parliamentary seats.
Regarding opposition’s political parties’ commitment to run the negotiation successfully, Lij Mesfin noted that every negotiator is expected to use this golden opportunity properly.
EPRDF has opened its doors to parties, and failure to seize this opportunity will be a loss to any party and the country’s political process, he added.
“Parties that haven’t been participating in the ongoing negotiation may wrongly perceive as the process wouldn’t bring changes. But, we are participating actively, and tangible results are being registered.”
For his part, Mekelle University Department of Political Science and Strategic Studies Asst. Prof. Yemane Zeray said that a given country’s political parties’ governing principles and platforms spring from constitution. If the playing field is not appropriate to the parties, it might require discussion to create conducive political environment, he added.
He indicated that opposition political parties should be well prepared to reflect and comment their political view [stance] frankly to get substantial result from the negotiation.
For him, the discussion is crucial to widen political space. And it is through discussion that changes could be achieved. They can build consensus on policies, strategies as well as political options.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
English