ZIMBABWE/UNITED KINGDOM: PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE'S ZANU-PF PARTY WINS AN OVERALL MAJORITY IN ZIMBABWE'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Record ID: 338232

  • Title: ZIMBABWE/UNITED KINGDOM: PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE'S ZANU-PF PARTY WINS AN OVERALL MAJORITY IN ZIMBABWE'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
  • Date: 27th June 2000
  • Summary: HARARE, ZIMBABWE (JUNE 27, 2000) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. MV: PEOPLE WALKING ALONG PAVEMENT, PULL OUT TO NEWSPAPER POSTER SAYING "Election results today" 0.09 2. CU: PEOPLE'S VOICE NEWSPAPER HEADLINE SAYING "20 Reasons Why People Must Vote Zanu PF" PAN TO OBSERVER NEWSPAPER HEADLINE SAYING "ZANU PF Heads for Victory" 0.18 3. WS/MV/CU: NEWS
  • Embargoed: 12th July 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: HARARE, ZIMBABWE/ LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City:
  • Country: England Zimbabwe United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVAE481TDRQDAGVE0F9GN17MI76K
  • Story Text: President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party has won an
    overall majority in Zimbabwe's parliamentary election - but
    lacked the majority it required to amend the constitution
    because of the strong showing by the opposition Movement for
    Democratic Change (MDC).



    Mugabe was speaking after his ZANU-PF party suffered a
    severe reverse in parliamentary elections that saw the
    opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) winning 57
    seats against ZANU-PF's 62.

    The combined opposition has never held more than three
    seats since independence in 1980, but ZANU-PF will gain a much
    bigger majority once Mugabe hand picks 30 more members of the
    150-seat parliament as he is allowed to do under the
    constitution.

    Nevertheless, the MDC's showing means they deny Mugabe the
    ability to change the constitution through parliament -- as he
    did just weeks before the election to allow the compulsory
    seizure of over 800 white-owned farms.

    That came just days after the electorate rejected a
    government-sponsored referendum which would have given
    national approval to his plans.

    Following that referendum, Mugabe also addressed the
    nation and said the government would listen to the views of
    the people.

    But the conciliatory tone was forgotten in pre-election
    violence in which at least 30 people were killed -- most of
    them members of the MDC.

    European Union officials accredited to observe the
    elections said the government and ZANU-PF officials had
    clearly supported the violence and intimidation.

    Final figures announced by Registrar General Tobaiwa
    Mudede on Tuesday (June 27) showed 62 seats for ZANU-PF, 57
    for the Movement for Democratic Change and one for the small
    opposition ZANU-Ndonga party.

    The MDC's most significant success, apart from running
    almost neck and neck with ZANU-PF, was to rob Mugabe of the
    two thirds majority he needs for constitutional change.

    Speaking at a news conference after the results were
    announced MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said: "This election
    result means that neither ZANU PF nor President Robert Mugabe
    can go it alone. He cannot amend the constitution unilaterally
    - Mugabe will not be able to reintroduce the senate - we
    believe that there is enough ZANU PF that see there is a need
    to start a new direction for the country".

    He said: "Change is in the offing. Anybody who believes
    that the future destiny of this country lies on Robert Mugabe
    must have his head examined. I think both ZANU PF and those
    who were engaged in irregularities must realise that this is
    the end for Robert Mugabe. The sooner they start planning his
    retirement the better."
    Mugabe has used this power 16 times, most recently to
    enable him to seize white-owned farms. He also amended the
    constitution to give him the 30-seat voting block which has
    proved crucial in this election.

    The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), formed only
    nine-months ago, far eclipsed any previous challenge to
    ZANU-PF, which has totally dominated power since independence
    20 years ago.

    ZANU-PF had predicted the MDC could win no more than 10
    seats nationwide and said they would bar the opposition from
    government whatever the election result.

    Britain meanwhile urged Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party
    accept that voters had called for change and said it should
    work together with the opposition, which won 57 of 120 seats
    in weekend elections.

    British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said: "This is a
    crucial moment in Zimbabwe's history. I call on President
    (Robert) Mugabe to accept the mood for change demonstrated by
    the voters. I urge ZANU PF to respond positively to the offer
    from the opposition to discuss how they can work together for
    the people of Zimbabwe".


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