Guinea-Bissau will hold a constitutional referendum on August 30 that would expand presidential powers and alter election rules. The proposed changes would allow the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, dissolve parliament, and create or abolish ministries.
The proposed constitutional changes in Guinea-Bissau could consolidate power in the presidency, potentially altering the country's political stability and democratic processes following last year's military coup.
Guinea-Bissau is scheduled to hold a constitutional referendum on August 30, which proposes significant expansions of presidential power and alterations to election rules. The current leadership in Guinea-Bissau is comprised of military officers who assumed power following a coup last year.
The proposed constitutional changes would grant the president the authority to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet. Additionally, the president would be empowered to create or abolish government ministries, chair the Council of Ministers, and dissolve parliament in the event of a grave political crisis. These reforms would fundamentally shift the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.
Beyond executive powers, the new constitution aims to reshape the legislature by reducing the number of parliamentary seats from 102 to 65. The number of electoral constituencies would also be significantly decreased, from 29 to 12. According to Professor Manuel Nobre de Barros of Lusofona University, this reduction in constituencies could diminish the influence of parties with strong local bases.
Furthermore, the proposed constitution introduces a new requirement for presidential candidates, mandating five years of permanent residency in Guinea-Bissau. This contrasts with the current constitution's requirements, which focus on Guinean citizenship by birth, a minimum age of 35, and full civil and political rights. De Barros commented that the changes would effectively grant the president absolute power, leaving no room for political opposition.