Assembly to elect new Leader of the Opposition |17 May 2016

The National Assembly will today appoint and elect a new Leader of the Opposition.

This follows the resignation of David Pierre who was in the post since the 2011 legislative elections.

Mr Pierre yesterday announced that as per the Constitution, he has resigned by notice in writing addressed to the Speaker, Dr Patrick Herminie. He has also announced his resignation as leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), the party for which he was the sole Assembly representative (see separate story on page 5).

According to chapter VI of the Constitution of Seychelles which covers the legislative arm of government, if a proportionately elected member – as was the case for Mr Pierre - resigns from the Assembly or from the political party of which he or she was a member at the time of election and which nominated him or her as a member, the party may replace the person by notice in writing to the Speaker.

The PDM has announced that it has nominated party secretary general Francesca Monnaie as Mr Pierre’s replacement.

The National Assembly will today also debate on an amendment of the Penal Code through a Bill which seeks to amend section 151 in order to decriminalize unnatural offences specified in paragraph (a) and (c). Section 151 of the Penal Code currently says that any person who has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him against the order of nature is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.

The Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation, Michael Benstrong will also appear before the House to answer an urgent question posed by the member for Les Mamelles, Emmanuel Fideria, enquiring on the necessary measures undertaken to identify permanent locations for businessmen who are selling products by the roadside, following the recent meeting held with them.

In addition, one motion has been tabled by the Leader of Government Business, Marie-Antoinette Rose, calling on the House to approve the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.