Malawi opposition wants floor-crossing abolished

Malawi's former president Bakili Muluzi and the leader of the main opposition party in parliament John Tembo have vowed that they will discuss and approve a full budget only if section 65 of the constitution, which bars members of parliament from switching parties in the house, is implemented.

Muluzi and Tembo have discussed this during rallies they held in Mwanza and Lilongwe respectively ahead of the resumption of the budget proceedings aimed at approving a three months budget agreed upon by the business committee of parliament on Friday in Lilongwe. They say section 65 issue should be discussed concurrently with the national budget, as the two issues are both important to the country.

The statements are in total defiance of an appeal by president Bingu wa Mutharika who called on the opposition dominated national assembly to approve a full budget as they meet today.

Earlier, Mutharika wondered why the opposition refuses to discuss any issue concerning the budget only. Up until now the Malawi government is running its operations without the blessing of the national assembly since the provisional budget expired on July 31 this year.

Meanwhile, parliament will resume today in the administrative capital Lilongwe.