Vila Nova calls for constitutional revision at opening of new legislature
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Rádio Somos Todos Primos
At the opening of the 13th legislature, São Tomé and Príncipe’s President Carlos Vila Nova called on the parties to engage in dialogue and to stop delaying the revision of the Constitution, the last of which dates back more than 20 years. He also called for political stability, reforms of the justice system, the administration and the electoral law, and greater attention to young people and the autonomy of Príncipe.
São Tomé and Príncipe’s President Carlos Vila Nova said on Wednesday, at the opening of the 13th legislature, that the revision of the Constitution "can no longer be postponed". He was speaking at the solemn session marking the swearing-in of the members of parliament. According to him, the "unusual episodes" experienced by the Republic stem from gaps and imprecisions in the text, whose last revision dates back more than 20 years.
The head of state is calling on the parties to engage in dialogue to ensure political and governmental stability. "Without stability, there is no plan, no project that gets finished, no trust," he said, adding that instability always costs the poorest the most. He also cited reforms of the justice system, the public administration and the electoral law, which in his view require broad consensus among the political forces during the four years of the legislature.
Vila Nova called for laws in favour of the blue economy, young people, the diaspora and the Autonomous Region of Príncipe. More than half of the population is young, he recalled, calling for texts that facilitate first jobs, support youth entrepreneurship and enhance technical education. He said that the autonomy of Príncipe is "an acquired right, enshrined in the Constitution".
The session comes the day after the election of Nilda da Mata as President of the National Assembly on 10 November, the day on which the president also asked the MLSTP for a prime minister within 24 hours.
