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Politics of the Republic of the Congo

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Politics of the Republic of the Congo takes place in a framework of a unitary semi-presidential republic, whereby the President is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government, of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the President and the Government. Recently, following the approval of a new Constitution after a referendum in 2015, Congo became a semi-presidential republic after the creation of the post of prime minister who is responsible to the legislature, as well is the cabinet of the former. Legislative power is vested in both the Government and the two chambers of parliament.

Many countries have a semi-presidential republic and elections, examples of other countries than the Republic of the Congo include France, Peru, and Croatia.[1] However, having semi-presidential republic does not necessarily mean that a country is a democracy. A central, but not the only, component of democracy is free and fair elections, where the population can hold accountable those in power.[2] Data collected from Freedom House, shows that the country scored 2/40 on political rights, and 15/60 on civil liberties; however, more specifically, the country scored 0/4 on whether there were free and fair elections.[3]

In terms of civil, political, and human rights, another tenant of democracy, another non-governmental organization, BTI, reports that the rule of law “only exists on paper” in the country;[4] this follows suit from a report from Amnesty International, which documents how Alexandre Ibacka Dzabana and Ras le Bol, both human rights leaders in the country were arrested the day after they announced they would hold a press conference to denounce election irregularities that occurred.[5]

Executive branch

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Main article: Cabinet of the Republic of the Congo
Main office-holders
Office Name Party Since
President Denis Sassou-Nguesso Party of Labour 25 October 1997
Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso Party of Labour 12 May 2021

Legislative branch

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The Parliament (Parlement) has two chambers. The National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) elects its members to five-year terms in single-seat constituencies. The members of the Senate (Sénat) are elected for a six-year term by district, local and regional councils. The Republic of Congo is a one party dominant state with the Congolese Labour Party in power. Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power.

Political parties and elections

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Main articles: List of political parties in the Republic of Congo and Elections in the Republic of the Congo

Presidential elections

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Main article: 2016 Republic of the Congo presidential election
CandidatePartyVotes%
Denis Sassou NguessoCongolese Party of Labour838,92260.19
Guy Brice Parfait KolélasCongolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development209,63215.04
Jean-Marie MokokoIndependent191,56213.74
Pascal Tsaty MabialaPan-African Union for Social Democracy65,0254.67
André Okombi SalissaInitiative for Democracy in Congo [fr]57,3734.12
Claudine MunariMovement for Unity, Solidarity and Labour [fr]21,5301.54
Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MboungouChain3,5400.25
Michel Mboussi NgouariConvention of Republican Parties3,3010.24
Anguios Nganguia EngabéParty for Action of the Republic2,9050.21
Total1,393,790100.00
Valid votes1,393,79093.55
Invalid/blank votes96,1716.45
Total votes1,489,961100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,161,83968.92
Source: Constitutional Court

Parliamentary elections

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Main article: 2017 Republic of the Congo parliamentary election
PartyFirst roundSecond roundSeats
Votes%SeatsVotes%SeatsExtended
mandate[a]		Total+/–
Congolese Party of Labour7219596+7
Pan-African Union for Social Democracy3508+1
Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development0044–3
Action and Renewal Movement31040
Rally for Democracy and Social Progress2103–2
Dynamic for the Republic and Recovery0303New
Union for a People's Movement2002+2
Citizen Rally1001–2
Republican and Liberal Party01010
Club 2002 – Party for the Unity and the Republic10010
Union of Democratic Forces10010
Party for Agreement and Political Action1001+1
Patriotic Front1001+1
Movement for Democracy and Progress0101+1
Party for Unity, Liberty and Progress0101+1
Congress for Democracy and the Republic0101New
CRDP0101New
La Chaîne0101New
National Movement for the Liberation of Congo0101New
Independents811019+7
Total95479151+12
Registered voters/turnout2,221,596–
Source: Jeune Afrique, IPU
  1. ^ The elections were not held in the Pool Department (9 seats). Instead, the term of the nine outgoing deputies was extended: Of these, five belonged to the Congolese Party of Labour and four to the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development.

International organization participation

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ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UDEAC, UN (Security Council member for 2006/2007), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

References

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  1. ^ Samuels, David (2013). Comparative politics. New York: Pearson Education. ISBN 978-0-321-44974-0. OCLC 771425329.
  2. ^ Schmitter, Philippe C; Karl, Terry Lynn (1991). "What Democracy Is. . . and Is Not". Journal of Democracy. 2 (3): 75–88. doi:10.1353/jod.1991.0033. ISSN 1086-3214.
  3. ^ "Republic of the Congo: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  4. ^ "BTI 2022 Congo, Rep. Country Report". BTI 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  5. ^ "Congo Archives". Amnesty International. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
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