Leaders’ forum working, shows good health of our democracy ‒ VP Meriton |30 May 2017

Leaders have discussed and reviewed the country’s legislative calendar and shared views on the different pieces of legislation that will soon be presented to the National Assembly, among various other matters during another Leaders’ Forum.

The forum was chaired by President Danny Faure at State House yesterday morning.

Initiated by President Danny Faure, the Leaders’ Forum regularly brings together Vice-President Vincent Meriton, Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Pillay, leader of the opposition Wavel Ramkalawan, leader of government business Charles de Commarmond and the acting Attorney General David Esparon.

Speaking to the local press soon after the forum, Vice-President Meriton said other than the legislative calendar and the forthcoming presentations of the legislations for Assembly considerations, the leaders discussed a series of other important matters. These include the need to continue with the white paper stage policy recently adopted.

As a result of the policy, a number of legislations are currently in the process of having their white paper finalised and these include: the Civil Code, the Employment Bill, the Access to information Bill among others.

“This is where the population is being asked to contribute towards the formulation of these legislations,” VP Meriton added.

The issue of financial autonomy was also discussed and the leaders agreed on the need to put in place a financial autonomy scrutiny body which will be responsible to scrutinise and consider budget proposals for different organisations and commissions.

During the forum, leaders also discussed and stressed on the need to respect the independence of state institutions unless there is due process to be followed based on what the Constitution, laws and practices dictate,” VP Meriton stressed.

Speaker Pillay also stressed on the need to respect the independence of the three arms of government ‒ executive, legislative and judiciary.

Speaker Pillay said in this period of cohabitation and collaboration, the forum is important for leaders to continue discussing issues on national importance in a collaborative manner to help each other so we can bring the country forward. But while collaboratively working together, Speaker Pillay also stressed on the need to respect the independence of the three arms of government.

“We should not only talk about separation of powers but we should respect the fact that each of the three arms of government have their mandate,” Speaker Pillay said.

He expressed satisfaction at the discussions of yesterday’s forum.

“The important thing is that discussions were frank, open and we are sincere in what we are doing and we respect each other’s mandate,” Speaker Pillay said.