Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has revealed amendments he wished to bring to the Constitution to pave way for a change in the governance system and the establishment of a parliamentary system in the country.
Nasheed is expected to submit the amendment to MDP Congress that is set to begin next Friday.
The amendment states that even though the governance system would be changed, the President would act as the Head of the State. The amendment further stipulates the powers that would be given to the President once the system changes.
The Powers and responsibilities that are given to the President include;
- The President would be the chief of the military with the power to declare war, make peace and declare a state of emergency
- Appoint ambassadors to foreign nations, take back names as per the parliament's decisions, and accept and decline credentials.
- Appoint members to commissions sanctioned by the Constitution
- Take referendum vote on national issues and set government and public holidays
Nasheed's amendments state that the government would be headed by a Prime Minister and that the government would be formed by the political party that wins more than half of the seats of the parliament.
If any one party is unable to secure the seats for a full majority, then the parties would be able to form coalitions with other parties to form a government.
Also, the Prime Minister would be appointed by the party that had won the most seats of the Parliament.
