CAN THE PRESIDENT OPEN PARLIAMENT WITHOUT A CABINET?

CAN THE PRESIDENT OPEN PARLIAMENT WITHOUT A CABINET? 🇿🇲

Yes, constitutionally, the President can attend and address Parliament even when Cabinet is not in place.

The Constitution of Zambia, under Article 86, requires the President to attend and address the National Assembly at least twice every year.

Parliament and Cabinet are two separate constitutional institutions. Therefore, the absence of Cabinet does not automatically prevent the President from opening or addressing Parliament.

However, this does not mean that Cabinet is unnecessary. The Constitution gives Cabinet specific responsibilities in the running of Government, including matters relating to government policy and the national budget.

So the important distinction is:

President addressing/opening Parliament = possible without Cabinet.

Running all constitutional functions of Government that require Cabinet = a separate constitutional matter.

The question, therefore, is not simply whether the President can enter Parliament without Cabinet, but what Government functions can legally be exercised while Cabinet is not constituted.

🇿🇲 The Constitution should be the reference point, not political speculation.

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