BISSAU: Fifteen former members of Guinea Bissau's leading party joined the opposition on Monday, handing Prime Minister Carlos Correia's opponents a majority in parliament and vowing to block his spending plan, a move which would bring down his government.
The 15 members of parliament were expelled from the ruling PAIGC party last week after they opposed Correia's latest plan in late December, saying they did not approve of his government.
It is the latest threat to a fragile democracy in Guinea Bissau, which has not had a democratically elected leader serve a full term since independence from Portugal in 1974, and has suffered nine coups or attempted coups since 1980. The country named three governments between August and October.
Members of the leading party, including Parliament Speaker Cipriano Cassama, left the National Assembly on Monday, leaving Alberto Nambeia, chairman of the PRS opposition party and vice president of the National Assembly, to continue proceedings.
Cassama condemned the opposition party's actions. "I declare null and void all decisions emanating from the parliamentary majority that I regard as illegal," he told a news conference late on Monday.
If parliament fails for a second time to approve Correia's agenda, which includes spending on roads, electricity, health and education, the constitution requires that the government be dismissed.
With the 15 ex-members of the leading party, the 41-strong PRS party now has a majority in the 102-member parliament.
Members said they would not approve the spending plan because of concerns that the money would not be spent wisely.
"We will not approve it because the government...spends time in squandering public funds," said Ibrahima Camara, one of the 15 party members who were expelled.
Reuters
