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Zimbabwe parliament to reconvene | Zimbabwe parliament to reconvene |
(4 days later) | |
Zimbabwe's parliament will open next week, officials say, despite no deal being reached on power-sharing. | Zimbabwe's parliament will open next week, officials say, despite no deal being reached on power-sharing. |
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change, which won a majority in March's parliamentary election, says it is not opposed to the opening of parliament. | The opposition Movement for Democratic Change, which won a majority in March's parliamentary election, says it is not opposed to the opening of parliament. |
But it said it would oppose any move by President Robert Mugabe, leader of the Zanu-PF party, to appoint a cabinet. | But it said it would oppose any move by President Robert Mugabe, leader of the Zanu-PF party, to appoint a cabinet. |
The two parties have been trying to thrash out a deal to share power, but have so far failed to agree terms. | The two parties have been trying to thrash out a deal to share power, but have so far failed to agree terms. |
Parliamentary clerk Austin Zvoma told state TV that parliament would be convened on Monday or Tuesday. | Parliamentary clerk Austin Zvoma told state TV that parliament would be convened on Monday or Tuesday. |
"The preparations for the swearing in of members of the seventh parliament [since independence] are at an advanced stage," AFP news agency quoted him as saying. | "The preparations for the swearing in of members of the seventh parliament [since independence] are at an advanced stage," AFP news agency quoted him as saying. |
Power dispute | Power dispute |
The Zanu-PF party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1980 - taking 99 seats to the MDC's 100 in the lower House of Assembly. | |
PARLIAMENTARY SEATS House of Assembly* MDC Tsvangirai: 100* Zanu-PF: 99* MDC Mutambara: 10* Independent: 1Senate* Zanu-PF: 30* MDC Tsvangirai: 24* MDC Mutambara: 6 | |
But the main MDC, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, will rely on the backing of an MDC breakaway faction to preserve its majority. | But the main MDC, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, will rely on the backing of an MDC breakaway faction to preserve its majority. |
A cabinet is usually formed shortly after parliament reopens, but the MDC is adamant Mr Mugabe should not be allowed to form a government. | A cabinet is usually formed shortly after parliament reopens, but the MDC is adamant Mr Mugabe should not be allowed to form a government. |
MDC spokesman Tapiwa Mashakada told Reuters such a move would be "against the letter and spirit" of an agreement both sides had signed to hold power-sharing talks. | MDC spokesman Tapiwa Mashakada told Reuters such a move would be "against the letter and spirit" of an agreement both sides had signed to hold power-sharing talks. |
Mr Tsvangirai finished ahead of Mr Mugabe in the first round of presidential elections, which were also held in March. | Mr Tsvangirai finished ahead of Mr Mugabe in the first round of presidential elections, which were also held in March. |
But he pulled out of the run-off vote in June, citing a campaign of violence against his supporters. | But he pulled out of the run-off vote in June, citing a campaign of violence against his supporters. |
Mr Mugabe went on to win the vote unopposed, with critics and the MDC accusing him of stealing the election. | Mr Mugabe went on to win the vote unopposed, with critics and the MDC accusing him of stealing the election. |
The two leaders have been holding power-sharing talks since mid-July, but have so far failed to reach a deal. | The two leaders have been holding power-sharing talks since mid-July, but have so far failed to reach a deal. |
The negotiations appear to have stalled on the issue of who should hold executive power. | The negotiations appear to have stalled on the issue of who should hold executive power. |
Correspondents say Mr Tsvangirai agreed to take on a beefed-up prime minister's post, with Mr Mugabe in a ceremonial role as president. | Correspondents say Mr Tsvangirai agreed to take on a beefed-up prime minister's post, with Mr Mugabe in a ceremonial role as president. |
But Mr Mugabe is believed to have rejected the proposal. | But Mr Mugabe is believed to have rejected the proposal. |
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