Politics
Proposed Constitutional Reforms in Ethiopia Could Consolidate Power for PM Abiy
Deutsche Welle · 2 weeks ago · Read the Full Story on Deutsche Welle
AI SUMMARY
Recent national dialogue consultations in Ethiopia have recommended merging the offices of prime minister and president, potentially consolidating more executive power under PM Abiy Ahmed.
- A national dialogue with approximately 4,000 delegates recommended merging the offices of prime minister and president to establish a stronger presidential system.
- Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, whose Prosperity Party holds a massive parliamentary majority, could significantly benefit from these reforms to consolidate his executive authority.
- Supporters argue a directly elected president could unify Ethiopia's ethnically and regionally fragmented society.
- Critics, including civil rights activist Befeqadu Hailu, warn that presidential systems are more prone to dictatorship.
- The national dialogue process was boycotted by major opposition parties and armed groups, leading experts to argue the resulting recommendations lack broad popular legitimacy.
- Analysts suggest the governance reform merely formalizes Abiy's existing power and will not resolve ongoing conflicts in Oromia, Amhara, and Tigray.
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