Politics of Chad

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Chad

Politics of Chad takes place in a framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Chad is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. Chad is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

In May 2013, security forces in Chad foiled a coup against the President Idriss Deby that had been in preparation for several months.[1]

Executive branch

Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
President Idriss Déby Patriotic Salvation Movement 2 December 1990
Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacké National Rally for Democracy 15 February 2016
President Idriss Deby in 2014

A strong executive branch headed by President Idriss Déby dominates the Chadian political system. Following his military overthrow of Hissène Habré in December 1990, Déby won presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. The constitutional basis for the government is the 1996 constitution, under which the president was limited to two terms of office until Déby had that provision repealed in 2005. The president has the power to appoint the prime minister and the Council of State (or cabinet), and exercises considerable influence over appointments of judges, generals, provincial officials and heads of Chad’s parastatal firms. In cases of grave and immediate threat, the president, in consultation with the National Assembly President and Council of State, may declare a state of emergency. Most of the Déby's key advisors are members of the Zaghawa clan, although some southern and opposition personalities are represented in his government.

Legislative branch

According to the 1996 constitution, the National Assembly deputies are elected by universal suffrage for 4-year terms. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for spring 2002. The Assembly holds regular sessions twice a year, starting in March and October, and can hold special sessions as necessary and called by the prime minister. Deputies elect a president of the National Assembly every 2 years. Assembly deputies or members of the executive branch may introduce legislation; once passed by the Assembly, the president must take action to either sign or reject the law within 15 days. The National Assembly must approve the prime minister’s plan of government and may force the prime minister to resign through a majority vote of no-confidence. However, if the National Assembly rejects the executive branch’s program twice in one year, the president may disband the Assembly and call for new legislative elections. In practice, the president exercises considerable influence over the National Assembly through the MPS party structure.

Judicial branch

Despite the constitution’s guarantee of judicial independence from the executive branch, the president names most key judicial officials. The Supreme Court is made up of a chief justice, named by the president, and 15 councilors chosen by the president and National Assembly; appointments are for life. The Constitutional Council, with nine judges elected to 9-year terms, has the power to review all legislation, treaties and international agreements prior to their adoption. The constitution recognizes customary and traditional law in locales where it is recognized and to the extent it does not interfere with public order or constitutional guarantees of equality for all citizens.

Political parties and elections

For other political parties, see List of political parties in Chad. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Chad.
 Summary of the 10 April 2016 Chadian presidential election, 2016
Candidates Nominating parties %
Idriss Déby Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) 61.56
Saleh Kebzabo National Union for Development and Renewal (UDNR) 12.80
Laokein Kourayo Mbaiherem Socialist Alliance for Integral Renewal, (ASRI) 10.60
Approximate number of registered voters 6.1 million
Total turnout of registered voters: 76.11%
Source: Reuters
 Summary of the 25 April 2011 Chadian presidential election results
Candidates Nominating parties Votes %
Idriss Déby Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) 2,503,813 88.66
Albert Pahimi Padacké National Rally for Democracy in Chad (RNDT–Le Réveil) 170,182 6.03
Nadji Madou Socialist Alliance for Integral Renewal (ASRI) 150,220 5.32
Valid votes 2,824,215 100.00
Invalid votes 355,111 11.17
Total (turnout 64.22%; boycotted by major opposition parties) 3,179,326
Source: CENI
 Summary of the 13 and 20 February 2011 National Assembly of Chad election results
Parties Seats
Patriotic Salvation Movement (Mouvement Patriotique de Salut, MPS) 83
* as MPS/RDP 27
* as MPS/VIVA/RNDP 16
* as MPS/VIVA/Rally for Democracy and Progress (Rassemblement pour la Démocratie et le Progrès or RDP) 4
* as MPS/VIVA 3
National Union for Democracy and Renewal (Union Nationale pour la Démocratie et le Rénouveau or UNDR) 10
* as UNDR/PLD 1
Union for Renewal and Democracy (Union pour le Rénouveau et la Démocratie or URD) 8
National Rally for Democracy in Chad (Rassemblement National pour la Démocratie au Tchad or RNDT) 6
* as RNDT Le Réveil 2
Federation, Action for the Republic/PF (Fédération, action pour la république or FAR) 4
CTPD 2
PDSA 2
UDR 2
AND 1
AND/R 1
ART/CNDS 1
MPDT 1
MPTR 1
PAP-JS 1
PDPT 1
PDI-RPT 1
PLD-UNDR 1
PUR 1
PPJE-ART-CNDS 1
RAPAD 1
SONOR 1
UDT 1
UET-V 1
UFD-PR 1
USND 1
Total 187
Source: Who rules where

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/26/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.