Mereja.Forum

[Somaliman]

When will constituents directly elect their prime minister, rather than leaving this basic right with Ethiopia’s Parliament, composed of two chambers: the House of People’s Representatives (HoPR), and the lower chamber? As we all know, these chambers are full of corrupt morons - just like in Somalia.

[Affable]

Nowhere in the world in parliamentary system the people directly elect a prime minister.

[Somaliman]

Nowhere in the world in parliamentary system the people directly elect a prime minister.

I know that, but what I mean is why not make it a presidential to make it fairer and more transparent.

[Somaliman]

In a parliamentary system, in a developing country, it's easy to get stuck to the same prime monster for ages. On the other hand, a presidential democracy is more democratic. In a parliamentary system, you're not really electing or even voting for a prime minister but a party, and at times simply a parliamentarian.

[Odie]

In a parliamentary system, in a developing country, it's easy to get stuck to the same prime monster for ages. On the other hand, a presidential democracy is more democratic. In a parliamentary system, you're not really electing or even voting for a prime minister but a party, and at times simply a parliamentarian.

Parliamentary system was favored by dictators or king(s) in Ethiopia because same person wants to be elected again and again. That person will make sure no opposition parties are viable so that he could be elected through one party system. How can one elect Abiy many times (in the future) if presidential system of American style is introduced? He would have no chance, in the future.

Melese Zenawi favored parliamentary system firstly because he wanted to be the only person to stay in power till, he died. The second thing was he wanted to follow the British system as he and his region people are known to be historically bootlickers of the brits. Yohannes was loyal to them to hand over the Other Ethiopian in power. Zenawi even changed the police hierarchy and name in Ethiopia to that of the British because he was a sell out to the brits. He was financed by them to come to power. I heard the then British PM Thatcher hated Mengistu because he was too dark and communist, they pumped support through TPLF. So, the parliament system has some neocolonial saga to it.