Guinea-Bissau referendum approves new constitution that expands president's powers
Summary
Voters in Guinea-Bissau approved a new constitution that increases the powers of the president before elections later this year. The changes let the president control the government more, such as choosing the prime minister and cabinet, but the main opposition party boycotted the vote, saying it threatens democracy.Key Facts
- The military government, which took power in November 2025 after a disputed election, organized the referendum.
- About 70% of voters approved the new constitution, with nearly 60% turnout.
- The new rules allow the president to appoint or remove the prime minister and cabinet and dissolve parliament in serious political crises.
- The opposition party PAIGC boycotted the referendum, saying it weakens democracy and concentrates too much power in the presidency.
- The constitution reduces parliament seats from 102 to 65 and cuts constituencies from 29 to 12.
- It keeps the president’s term at five years and a two-term limit but adds a rule that candidates must have lived in Guinea-Bissau for the previous five years.
- Guinea-Bissau has a history of coups and political instability and is known for drug trafficking through its coastal islands.
- Elections are planned for December 2025, which will test if the military will return the country to civilian rule under the new constitution.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
