2007 State-of-the-Nation Address-President dissolves National Assembly |21 March 2007

"In accordance with Article 110 of the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles, I have given due notice in writing to the Speaker of the National Assembly, my intention to dissolve the Assembly. This takes effect as of tomorrow (Wednesday 20th March). The Electoral Commissioner now has the task of organising the election, including the fixing of the appropriate date as per the legal provisions," President Michel said Tuesday March 20.

The Seychellois Head of State made the announcement in his annual State-of-the-Nation address which he delivered before the National Assembly Tuesday afternoon.

New legislative election will now take place within the next three months instead of mid-October, the time the election would have taken place if the Assembly was allowed to complete its mandate. 
 
Before announcing the dissolution of the National Assembly, President Michel had said that in order for our country to move forward at a quicker pace, "we need an opposition who represent a constructive force, a force which proposes and progresses and is not merely engaged in confrontation. An opposition elected in a democratic election should function within the norms of democracy". 

"The opposition has to be consistent.  It should above all show respect for the people who have elected them as well as the institution of the National Assembly.  As politicians, we all know that the parliament is the legal forum for debating and expressing our diversity of opinions. We cannot preach democracy whilst we practice anarchy. This is not at all in the interest of Seychelles and I will not allow this to continue," President Michel said.

The President's comments were a clear reference to the fact that the Opposition members in the National Assembly have been collectively absent from most of the sittings since after 3rd October last year when Opposition party leaders and supporters clashed with police during an illegal protest against the introduction of legislation banning political parties and religious organisations from owning broadcasting stations.

Referring to the forthcoming legislative election, President Michel said: "I call upon every voter to elect people who are serious to the National Assembly.  We need serious representatives who can represent and defend the people who have elected them, who hold the people’s and the nation’s interests close to their hearts. We need true patriots, who will not incite violence and spread panic.  I call upon the people of Seychelles to elect a new assembly which is responsible and consistent in its decisions and actions.  I call upon the people of Seychelles to give me a strong majority in the assembly so that I can keep our country on the good path we have chosen, a path of peace, stability, prosperity and harmony.  Let us do it together.  Let us do it for the love of Seychelles."

The President's State-of-the-Nation address, which was broadcast live on SBC television and radio, was also an occasion for the Head of State to go over the achievements of the country and challenges it now faced in the building of a new Seychelles.

President Michel said that the importance of maintaining the peace, stability and harmony that "we have enjoyed all these years should always inspire us in whatever we do".

In his address President Michel said that as the Head of State, he swore to work for all Seychellois and this was what his government and himself were doing and would always do.
He announced that one of the significant aims of his strategies was to double the islands' GDP in a 10-year period, from the present $8,722 (US) per capita.  

"This will entail an intensification of productive activity that we have never experienced before," he said.

The Head of State reiterated that Government was taking on the role as a facilitator for business and was set to continue the liberalization process. 

"As of January 2007, all businesses will not be required to pay any business tax on profits less than 250,000 rupees ($40,000 US)," he reminded the nation following an earlier announcement.
 
On the performance of tourism, the main foreign currency earner, he said it had been growing at a sustainable rate for the past few years to reach a record of 140,000 visitors in 2006.

He announced plans for the country to earn more from fisheries, an industry that has turned Port Victoria into the tuna centre of the Indian Ocean.

In his address, President Michel also outlined Seychelles' performance in other sectors. This includes ownership of three double-hull petroleum tankers and two more to be built; 50% of land area set aside as natural reserves; world leadership in environmental protection; 80% of the population subscribing to the mobile telephone services; 76% of families are owners of their homes; 19% of budget allocated to free health care, increased training under a free education system.

President Michel noted that drug abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, domestic violence were amongst the social ills facing the nation, and has called on each and every citizen to join efforts in tackling the problems.

"We need to intensify our efforts in fighting against such ills and once again let us remind ourselves that it is not only the government’s business.  These are matters that concern us all," he said.