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| MDC to boycott parliament opening | MDC to boycott parliament opening |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Zimbabwe's main opposition party says it will boycott the formal opening of parliament by President Robert Mugabe. | Zimbabwe's main opposition party says it will boycott the formal opening of parliament by President Robert Mugabe. |
| The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says Mr Mugabe does not have the right to address MPs until a power-sharing deal is reached. | The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says Mr Mugabe does not have the right to address MPs until a power-sharing deal is reached. |
| The MDC does not recognise Mr Mugabe as president, accusing him of rigging elections earlier this year. | The MDC does not recognise Mr Mugabe as president, accusing him of rigging elections earlier this year. |
| On Monday, the MDC chairman was elected speaker of the lower house, where Mr Mugabe's party is in a minority. | On Monday, the MDC chairman was elected speaker of the lower house, where Mr Mugabe's party is in a minority. |
| It is the first time that Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF has not had a majority in parliament since independence in 1980. | It is the first time that Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF has not had a majority in parliament since independence in 1980. |
| After his victory, Lovemore Moyo told the BBC that parliament would no longer just "rubber-stamp" Mr Mugabe's policies. | After his victory, Lovemore Moyo told the BBC that parliament would no longer just "rubber-stamp" Mr Mugabe's policies. |
| 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. |
| The MDC boycotted the second round of the presidential election, accusing Mr Mugabe of organising a campaign of violence against its supporters. | The MDC boycotted the second round of the presidential election, accusing Mr Mugabe of organising a campaign of violence against its supporters. |
| 'Final nail' | 'Final nail' |
| "The dialogue has not been completed. It is arrogant and reckless for anybody to come and address parliament," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. name="top"> | |
| class="bodl" href="#chart">See the breakdown of parliamentary seats"Mugabe is not mandated by anyone to address parliament. Nobody has the right to address parliament before talks are completed," Mr Chamisa added. | |
| The talks, mediated by South Africa, have stalled over how powers should be divided between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, who would 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 would be named to fill the new post of prime minister. |
| 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). |
| If Mr Mugabe now names a new cabinet, it would be the final nail in the coffin of the protracted talks, the BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Jonah Fisher says. | If Mr Mugabe now names a new cabinet, it would be the final nail in the coffin of the protracted talks, the BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Jonah Fisher says. |
| 'New era' | 'New era' |
| On Monday, Mr Moyo became the first opposition speaker since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. | On Monday, 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 in the day police arrested two MDC lawmakers as they turned up at parliament to be sworn in. | His victory was all the more dramatic because earlier in the day police arrested two MDC lawmakers as they turned up at parliament to be sworn in. |
| One was later released and took the oath of office, along with his colleagues, five months after the elections. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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