Chakwera in Parliament today
President Lazarus Chakwera will be in Parliament today to respond to questions from members of Parliament (MPs) arising from the State of the Nation Address (Sona) he delivered )on February 9.
Both presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda and Parliament spokesperson Ian Mwenye confirmed that the President will appear in Parliament this afternoon.
Said Kasunda: “HE [His Excellency] has been going to Parliament to answer questions after delivering the Sona since he assumed office.”
On the other hand, Mwenye said Chakwera will answer questions from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader in the House Mary Navicha who represents Thyolo Thava, Nkhata Bay South East legislator Noah Chimpeni (People’s Party-PP), Chikwawa West lawmaker Susan Dossi (UTM Party), Machinga North East MP Ajilu Kalitendere (DPP) and Zomba Central MP Bester Awali (DPP).
The President is expected to take a maximum of five questions according to Standing Order 70 (A)(8).
Section 89 (3) (c) of the Constitution provides that (1) During a Budget Meeting of the Assembly, and immediately before consideration of the Budget Estimates, the President shall attend Parliament to respond to questions asked and raised during debate on the Sona.
It further states that the Clerk of Parliament shall submit a record of the proceedings of debate on Sona and any written notice of questions based on the address by members, to the Office of the President and Cabinet to prepare the President’s responses, and that the business committee shall determine the date and time for the President to come and deliver responses under this rule.
Chakwera is the second President among the five multiparty era leaders to appear before Parliament to answer questions despite the law providing for Question Time for the President.
The other is Bakili Muluzi, who went to Parliament during his first term from 1994 to 1999.
Muluzi’s successor Bingu wa Mutharika refused to appear before Parliament to fulfil the constitutional requirement while Joyce Banda, Bingu’s successor, never tried as did her successor Peter Mutharika, who governed the country from 2014 to 2020.
