LDS blocks nomination of three new ministers |12 April 2018

● Parti Lepep MNAs walk out

The National Assembly adjourned earlier than scheduled yesterday after Parti Lepep members walked out during House proceedings.

Parti Lepep members stormed out of parliament after the majority party in the National Assembly, Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS), categorically refused to approve President Danny Faure’s nominations of three new ministers.

The walk-out is an unprecedented move for the ruling party and was sparked off by the leader of government business, Charles De Comarmond, who stated that LDS members were providing them with no other options.

It was Mr De Comarmond who opened the floor for debates after he tried to pass three motions for the Assembly to approve the appointment of Luciana Lagrenade, Patrick Payet and Billy Rangasamy as ministers in accordance to Article 69 (2) of the Constitution.

Wavel Ramkalawan, the leader of the opposition, responded by stating that he and his colleagues would not approve the three motions for the simple reason that LDS is demanding for fresh presidential and even parliamentary elections.

Mr Ramkalawan postulated that the country is currently not moving in the right direction and that the number of demonstrations that have occurred in a short period of time ‒ such as those conducted by teachers, nurses, truck drivers and Air Seychelles staff ‒ indicates a deficiency in leadership on the part of the executive organ of the government.

“We have to question if Seychelles, in its current state, needs a change in ministers or more drastic and important actions? Does it need quick fixes or a more comprehensive transformation?” Mr Ramkalawan queried.

“LDS strongly believes in the latter option,” he continued.

He affirmed that he has no issues and holds no grudges with any of the president’s nominees and holds them in high regard, but also noted that LDS would not approve their posts because the party is looking past the individuals in favour of doing what is best for Seychelles.

Meanwhile, proportionately elected member for Parti Lepep, Sebastien Pillay, made a plea to LDS members to reconsider their stance on the matter and approve the nominations because the country “still needs to function”, with or without the prospect of fresh elections.

The proposition however was brushed aside as Jean-François Ferrari, the LDS MNA for Mont Fleuri, evoked Order 44 of the Standing Order and asked Mr De Comarmond to withdraw his motions.

This was followed by procedural confusion whereby Mr De Comarmond refused to do so and moved to adjourn the session for further consultations while Mr Ferrari insisted for his proposition to be put to a vote.

It was Speaker Nicholas Prea who ended the session by granting Mr De Comarmond’s motion for a brief adjournment through the application of Order 95 and Order 23(1) of the Standing Order.

As the members reconvened for sitting 30 minutes later, it was clear that both sides were at an impasse.

While Mr De Commarmond asked that the nominees have the chance to appear and interact with the MNAs as was initially tabled as well as to allow for further deliberations, Mr Ramkalawan asserted that neither action would change LDS’ decision on the matter.

The leader of government business and his colleagues responded to this statement by walking out of the parliament.

Due to the walk-out and the fact that the National Assembly did not have a quorum (the minimum number of members of an assembly that must be present at any of its session to make the proceedings valid) it could not continue with its business of the day and Speaker Prea took the decision to adjourn and not proceed to a vote in the absence of the mover of the three motions, Mr De Comarmond.

Therefore, Mr De Comarmond’s three motions remain pending.

According to the National Assembly secretariat, the procedure to be followed during next Tuesday’s sitting regarding the three motions will depend on the position taken by the two political parties in the House.