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MPs seized in Zimbabwe parliament MDC wins Zimbabwe parliament vote
(about 2 hours later)
Two Zimbabwean MPs have been arrested, as they were due to be sworn in five months after disputed elections, an opposition spokesman says. The candidate backed by Zimbabwe's opposition MDC has been elected speaker of parliament, after MPs were sworn in five months after elections.
They were detained as they entered parliament, said Nelson Chamisa. MDC chairman Lovemore Moyo becomes the first opposition speaker since the country's independence in 1980.
He said the police wanted to arrest 15 MPs, to ensure the ruling party wins the vote for the speaker of parliament. As the MPs arrived for the ceremony, two MDC law-makers were arrested, a party spokesman says.
Zanu-PF lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since independence in the the March polls. Power-sharing talks are currently deadlocked. President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF did not field a candidate for the vote, but backed a rival MDC faction.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has warned that the official opening of parliament on Tuesday could jeopardise the talks. The BBC's Karen Allen says this was a tactic to try and engineer control of parliament, which has backfired.
They have chosen the path of arrogance, unilateralism that's a serious blow to confidence-building in the talks Nelson Chamisa, MDC As a result of the March elections, the breakaway MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) faction holds the balance of power in parliament.
The swearing-in of parliamentarians will seek to convey a sense of business as usual in Zimbabwe, says the BBC's Karen Allen. They have chosen the path of arrogance, unilateralism that's a serious blow to confidence-building in the talks Nelson Chamisa, MDC Zanu-PF lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since independence in the polls. Power-sharing talks are currently deadlocked.
The balance of power in the new parliament is held by a breakaway faction from Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has warned that the official opening of parliament on Tuesday could jeopardise the talks.
Speaker deal?Speaker deal?
After being sworn in, the opposition MPs sat on the government benches, reports the AFP news agency.After being sworn in, the opposition MPs sat on the government benches, reports the AFP news agency.
"You sit on that side. You are now in the opposition," they shouted at their Zanu-PF rivals."You sit on that side. You are now in the opposition," they shouted at their Zanu-PF rivals.
The election of a speaker is expected to be a close vote. The MDC has one seat more than President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF, while the Arthur Mutambara breakaway MDC faction has 10 seats in the House of Assembly.
After the parliamentary elections in March, both MDC factions said they would work together, however they have each nominated candidates for the position of speaker of parliament.
There are reports that President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF could support the candidate of the Arthur Mutambara MDC faction for speaker, in return for its support in parliament.
Zanu-PF has not nominated a candidate, according to Reuters news agency.
The MDC has one seat more than President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF, while the Mutambara MDC faction has 10 seats in the 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* Traditional chiefs: 18* Provincial governors: 10* Presidential appointees: 5PARLIAMENTARY SEATS House of Assembly* MDC Tsvangirai: 100* Zanu-PF: 99* MDC Mutambara: 10* Independent: 1Senate* Zanu-PF: 30* MDC Tsvangirai: 24* MDC Mutambara: 6* Traditional chiefs: 18* Provincial governors: 10* Presidential appointees: 5
The MDC had warned that 15 of its MPs would not attend the swearing-in ceremony, as they were in hiding following a state-sponsored campaign of violence.The MDC had warned that 15 of its MPs would not attend the swearing-in ceremony, as they were in hiding following a state-sponsored campaign of violence.
The police had accused them of murder, rape and political violence but have not commented on the arrests. The police had accused them of murder, rape and political violence. They have not commented on the arrest of the MPs on Monday.
Mr Chamisa told AFP that MP-elects Shuah Mudiwa and Eliah Jembere had been detained. MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told AFP that MP-elects Shuah Mudiwa and Eliah Jembere had been detained.
"We have been informed they want to arrest 15 MPs. It's all about the vote for the speaker. Nothing to do with the law.""We have been informed they want to arrest 15 MPs. It's all about the vote for the speaker. Nothing to do with the law."
Ahead of Monday's swearing-in, Mr Mugabe appointed three non-constituency members of parliament's upper house, the Senate, and eight provincial governors, state media said.Ahead of Monday's swearing-in, Mr Mugabe appointed three non-constituency members of parliament's upper house, the Senate, and eight provincial governors, state media said.
"Clearly they have chosen the path of arrogance, unilateralism that's a serious blow to confidence-building in the talks," Mr Chamisa told Reuters."Clearly they have chosen the path of arrogance, unilateralism that's a serious blow to confidence-building in the talks," Mr Chamisa told Reuters.
Zanu-PF has the most seats in the Senate and Mr Mugabe has the power to appoint a further 15 members, along with 18 traditional chiefs, seen as pro-Zanu-PF.Zanu-PF has the most seats in the Senate and Mr Mugabe has the power to appoint a further 15 members, along with 18 traditional chiefs, seen as pro-Zanu-PF.
The South Africans-mediated talks are stalled over how powers should be divided between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, who could be named to fill the new post of prime minister.The South Africans-mediated talks are stalled over how powers should be divided between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, who could be named to fill the new post of prime minister.
The opening of parliament in Harare comes with the blessing of the regional body, the Southern African Development Community (SADC).The opening of parliament in Harare comes with the blessing of the regional body, the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Mr Tsvangirai won the first presidential round in March, before pulling out of a June run-off citing a campaign of violence against his supporters.Mr Tsvangirai won the first presidential round in March, before pulling out of a June run-off citing a campaign of violence against his supporters.
The economy continues to deteriorate, with the latest figures, showing annual inflation of 11m% - by far the highest in the world.The economy continues to deteriorate, with the latest figures, showing annual inflation of 11m% - by far the highest in the world.
Foreign donors will only agree a rescue package if power-sharing talks are finalised.Foreign donors will only agree a rescue package if power-sharing talks are finalised.