The discussion and voting on the Constitutional Review Proposal is the only point of the 6th Ordinary Plenary Meeting of the 4th Legislative Session of the IV Legislature of the National Assembly.
The punctual change concerns the clarification of the institutional relationship model between the President of the Republic and the National Assembly, with regard to the inspection, which has been demanded by opposition deputies for several years, the consecration of the Angolans' vote abroad, the withdrawal of the principle of gradualism for the implementation of municipalities, the independence of the Angolan central bank, among others.
"With this proposal for a punctual revision of the Constitution, it is intended to preserve the stability of its fundamental principles, to adapt some of its norms to the current reality, keeping it adjusted to the political, social and economic context, to clarify the mechanisms of political inspection and to improve the relationship between the sovereign bodies, as well as correcting some shortcomings ", highlighted João Lourenço, on the day he presented the initiative.
The President of the Republic justified the changes with the need to "preserve national stability and values" under the democratic rule of law.
For the Chief Executive, these changes are intended "to have a better Constitution so that it continues to be the main instrument for structuring Angolan society, capable of bringing Angolans together around a common project of a society of peace, justice and progress. Social".
Opposition parties such as the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), Democratic Bloc (BD) and the Angola Renaissance Party - Together for Angola - Serving Angola (PRA-JA Servir Angola), argue that the constitutional review should enshrine , as a starting point, the "direct and free election" of the President of the Republic by all national citizens.
According to these political groups, Angolans "are all aware" that the model for the election of the President of the Republic enshrined in the Constitution "is atypical and discriminatory and violates the fundamental rights" of citizens.
For these political forces, the "atypical constitution approved by the party-state in 2010 has already fulfilled the political role intended by its main mentor", since, they stress, served as the basis for two "widely contested" electoral cycles.
The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) considers that the revision of the Constitution, proposed by the President, shows that João Lourenço "is not attached to power", but "concerned with the strengthening and consolidation" of democratic institutions.
