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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Mugabe to open Zimbabwe assembly | Mugabe to open Zimbabwe assembly |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is due to open parliament in which his Zanu-PF party will be in the minority in the lower house for the first time. | Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is due to open parliament in which his Zanu-PF party will be in the minority in the lower house for the first time. |
| On Monday, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party saw its member, Lovemore Moyo, elected speaker. | On Monday, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party saw its member, Lovemore Moyo, elected speaker. |
| Mr Moyo told the BBC that parliament would no longer just "rubber-stamp" Mr Mugabe's policies. | Mr Moyo told the BBC that parliament would no longer just "rubber-stamp" Mr Mugabe's policies. |
| The MDC does not recognise Mr Mugabe as president and is considering a boycott of the opening session. | The MDC does not recognise Mr Mugabe as president and is considering a boycott of the opening session. |
| Zanu-PF's Edna Madzongwe on Monday won the presidency of the upper house, the Senate, where Mr Mugabe's party has a majority. | Zanu-PF's Edna Madzongwe on Monday won the presidency of the upper house, the Senate, where Mr Mugabe's party has a majority. |
| Power-sharing talks between Mr Mugabe and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai are currently deadlocked. | |
| The MDC boycotted the second round of the presidential election earlier this year, claiming the first round was marred by violence and intimidation by Zanu-PF supporters. | The MDC boycotted the second round of the presidential election earlier this year, claiming the first round was marred by violence and intimidation by Zanu-PF supporters. |
| 'New era' | 'New era' |
| Mr Moyo became the first opposition speaker since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. | Mr Moyo became the first opposition speaker since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. |
| The MDC MPs were overjoyed at Lovemore Moyo's victory | The MDC MPs were overjoyed at Lovemore Moyo's victory |
| His victory was all the more dramatic because earlier on Monday police arrested two MDC lawmakers as they turned up at parliament to be sworn in, the BBC's Karen Allen says. | |
| One was later released and took the oath of office, along with his colleagues, five months after the elections. | |
| Mr Moyo told the BBC's Network Africa programme that he was excited by his election but also "humbled and honoured" by the show of support from his colleagues. | Mr Moyo told the BBC's Network Africa programme that he was excited by his election but also "humbled and honoured" by the show of support from his colleagues. |
| They broke into song and dance when he was announced the winner of the secret vote. | |
| "I feel this is the beginning of the new era in parliament, the era probably when the executive has to find ways of negotiating with the legislature in order to put through programs," he said. | "I feel this is the beginning of the new era in parliament, the era probably when the executive has to find ways of negotiating with the legislature in order to put through programs," he said. |
| Mr Moyo said he would remain neutral as a speaker but that his decision-making would be influenced by MDC policies. | Mr Moyo said he would remain neutral as a speaker but that his decision-making would be influenced by MDC policies. |
| "Obviously as a party, we are fully aware that we find ourselves in a situation where we have somebody claiming to be head of state which we know very well did not win that head of state," he said. | "Obviously as a party, we are fully aware that we find ourselves in a situation where we have somebody claiming to be head of state which we know very well did not win that head of state," he said. |
| 'Goodwill' | 'Goodwill' |
| Mr Moyo's position means that he will be able to take charge of controversial debates if no power-sharing deal is reached. | Mr Moyo's position means that he will be able to take charge of controversial debates if no power-sharing deal is reached. |
| 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: 5 | 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: 5 |
| The talks, mediated by South Africa, have 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 talks, mediated by South Africa, have 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. |
| But Mr Moyo said MDC lawmakers would show goodwill in order to bring about a positive outcome. | But Mr Moyo said MDC lawmakers would show goodwill in order to bring about a positive outcome. |
| Mr Tsvangirai has opposed the recall of parliament, saying it could jeopardise the power-sharing talks. | Mr Tsvangirai has opposed the recall of parliament, saying it could jeopardise the power-sharing talks. |
| But the opening of parliament in Harare comes with the blessing of the regional body, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc). | But 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. |
| Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's economy continues to deteriorate, with the latest figures showing annual inflation of 11m% - by far the highest in the world. | Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's economy continues to deteriorate, with the latest figures showing annual inflation of 11m% - by far the highest in the world. |
| Foreign donors have said they will only agree a rescue package if power-sharing talks are finalised. | Foreign donors have said they will only agree a rescue package if power-sharing talks are finalised. |