
Maputo, 13 Jan (AIM) – The Mozambican parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, on Monday elected former Labour Minister, Margarida Talapa, as its new chairperson.
This was the first item of business after the deputies present took the oath of office in a ceremony chaired by President Filipe Nyusi.
Talapa was the sole candidate from the ruling Frelimo Party. Given that Frelimo holds 171 of the 250 seats in the Assembly, her victory was a foregone conclusion. The outgoing chairperson, Esperanca Bias, did not stand for a further term of office.
The opposition Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos) proposed not one, but two candidates. Only one of them, Fernando Tome Jone, is actually a member of Podemos, while the other, Carlos Tembe, comes from civil society and is known to be close to the Podemos President, Albino Forquilha.
The votes cast, in a secret ballot, were as follows:
Margarida Talapa – 169
Carlos Tembe – 32
Fernando Jone – 7.
Talapa is the third woman to be elected chairperson of the Assembly, after Veronica Macamo, and Esperanca Bias.
President-elect Daniel Chapo attended the parliamentary session, and told journalists that he hoped for collaboration from all deputies, including those from Renamo and the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), who boycotted the initial session.
“It is crucial to have open and honest debates within this body, which will allow us to pass laws that genuinely reflect the interests of all Mozambicans”, said Chapo.
(AIM)
Pf/ (246)