Zimbabwe's lower house of parliament passed a bill on Thursday to extend presidential terms from five years to seven, allowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030. The legislation, which requires a two-thirds majority, was supported by 216 lawmakers and will now move to the Senate for approval.
Key Takeaways
Zimbabwe's lower house passed a bill to extend presidential terms from five to seven years, allowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stay in power until 2030. The legislation also proposes changing presidential elections from direct votes to parliamentary selection. Supporters argue it will boost stability and economic planning, while critics accuse Mnangagwa of a power grab.
- Bill passed with 216 votes, moving to Senate for approval
- Proposed changes include parliamentary election of president instead of direct popular vote
- Critics fear weakened democratic accountability and entrenchment of ruling party's grip on power
- Supporters argue it promotes long-term policy continuity and economic planning
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▼Source Claims Check
1 Difference FoundAll 5 publishers report consistent facts across 2 key claims. 1 point of difference noted.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proposed Changes | 1 Difference | Majority reports benefits; outliers report drawbacks | ▼ |
| Bill Passage | Broad Agreement | Bill passed with 216 votes, moving to Senate | |
| Consultation Process | Broad Agreement | Consultation process marred by allegations of intimidation and violence |
Proposed Changes
▼Majority reports benefits; outliers report drawbacks
Bill Passage
Broad AgreementBill passed with 216 votes, moving to Senate
Consultation Process
Broad AgreementConsultation process marred by allegations of intimidation and violence
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The bill also proposes changing the method of presidential elections from direct popular vote to selection by parliament. Supporters argue that it will boost political stability, cut election costs, and enable longer-term economic planning. However, critics accuse Mnangagwa of a power grab, with vocal opposition coming from the public and some independence war veterans.
Mnangagwa, 83, has been in office since a military coup ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe in November 2017. Despite promising reforms after taking power, his presidency has been marked by economic instability and chaos similar to that of Mugabe's era. Inflation reached 243% in 2023 but fell to single digits in January for the first time in nearly three decades.
The bill's passage comes amid a trend on the African continent where leaders have altered or removed constitutional restrictions to prolong their time in office. Other countries with similar actions include Cameroon, Uganda, and Ivory Coast. The legislation has faced legal challenges from activists and war veterans, but these were struck off the court roll this week for technical reasons.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, the bill's sponsor, rejected criticism that the proposed changes would undermine Zimbabwe’s constitutional order. Speaking in parliament on June 3, he stated that the bill was 'not an abandonment of our constitutional order in any way, shape or form but a continuation of it.' He argued that the bill does not give the president a term extension or a third term and does not take away the right to vote.
Opponents dispute this interpretation, arguing that the proposed changes would strengthen Mnangagwa’s influence over the political system. Critics also allege that the consultation process was marred by intimidation and violence, with reports of activists being abducted and tortured. The ruling party controls both the National Assembly and the Senate, with its parliamentary dominance growing after the 2023 elections.
How this summary was created
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