Testing Times

August 2008 | Risk Summary

The National Assembly in late July set up a bipartisan advisory group on amending the constitution. Among possible changes are allowing the president a second term, a switch to a French-style 'dual-executive' system whereby the president controls foreign and defence policy and a stronger prime minister runs domestic matters, and more power being devolved to provincial administrations. However, the opposition parties are wary of agreeing to constitutional amendments at a time when the ruling conservative Grand National Party (GNP) is so strong in the Assembly. Furthermore, amendments would require a two-thirds majority in the chamber and more than 50% of

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