DPP still in short of majority
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) numbers in Parliament have not risen to the required figure to make the party assume the majority status.
According to the final seating plan, about 91 members of Parliament (MPs) are on the government side in the chamber, but this does not signify that DPP has the support of all MPs to reach the two thirds majority of 128.
The party’s numbers in the House also include three non-MPs, namely Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe, Minister of Justice Sam Tembenu and Minister of Lands Bright Msaka.
Leader of the House Francis Kasaila confirmed that only MPs who have officially aligned themselves to DPP would be attending the party’s caucuses.
“As of now, we are 70, including the 19 [independent] MPs who were announced by the Speaker. It is only these people that we will be giving bills to and discussing government business,” he said.
Meanwhile, United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs have remained on the opposition side of the House despite the appointment of their party’s leader, Atupele Muluzi, into Cabinet.
