Politics of Namibia

The Political System of Namibia is organized according to the Namibian Constitution of 21 March 1990 as Semipräsidentielles system.

Although Namibia has a tendency to one-party system, it is still a functioning democracy. NGOs such as the Namibian Institute for Democracy and the National Society for Human Rights to promote democratic education and understanding of a multi-party system.

Executive

The executive branch is formed by the Namibian President, which at the same time head of government of the Republic of addition to his role as head of state.

The president is elected by popular vote for five years, and appoints the Prime Minister and the Minister or can this also be released independently. In addition, the law comes to his to dissolve the National Assembly, but in such a case also ends the term of office of the President.

With state of emergency by the President of the approval of a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly is required.

Legislature

The legislative (legislation ) is a two-chamber system and is formed by the National Assembly and the National Council.

The National Assembly (English National Assembly) consists of 78 deputies. Six members are appointed directly by the President, the other members are elected by direct popular vote on party lists by proportional representation. The National Assembly has the legislative power and to annul or correct any act of the President by a two-thirds majority of MPs.

There is also the possibility of no-confidence vote for members of the National Assembly. In this context, the President the appointment of a Cabinet member must be revoked, provided that the National Assembly decides by a majority of its members that the minister in question does not have their trust. Another special law to the National Assembly, in addition to being involved in the declaration of a state of emergency, the impeachment proceedings. This can be initiated on the basis of a constitutional violation or a serious violation of the laws and requires a two- thirds majority of the members of the National Assembly and a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.

The National (English National Council) comprises two members each of the 13 regions, regardless of the population of each region. The representatives are elected directly by the people of each region in single-member districts and delegated by regional councils.

Due to the strong position of the president and the ruling majorities in favor of SWAPO, the two chambers of parliament play a rather minor role in the policy-making process. Under the Constitution, members are all members of the Government must also be the National Assembly, Deputy Minister must belong to one of the two chambers. At present 25 ministers from a total of 78 members of the National Assembly that in turn means that the parliamentary work needs to be done sometimes by a minority of deputies (2005 only 32 of the 78 deputies ). Thus, the presence of the deputies who are members of the executive at the same time, reduced to a minimum and limited mainly to polls, ceremonial occasions as well as question and answer sessions.

The parliamentary control is considered to be critical, which consists merely of the weak opposition represented. Question and answer sessions Debates are often implemented less objectively and on the part of SWAPO often very aggressive. In addition, the opposition is repeatedly denied their right to criticize the president and the government.

→ See also: List of political parties in Namibia

Judiciary

The Judiciary ( Court ) shall be according to the constitution of three levels of courts together, the Supreme Court, the High Court and the Lower Courts. Since 1990, the Supreme Court considered the highest court of appeal in Namibia. The jurisdiction in respect of offenses occur with certain restrictions on the seriousness of the offense, the possible penalties and the territorial area of ​​competence, the Magistrates Courts, as part of the Lower Courts.

The Roman - Dutch Law (Roman - Dutch law) and judgments of the South African and Namibian case law serve as a basis of jurisdiction in accordance with the Common Law and the Customary Law.

The judiciary in Namibia is considered to be independent of the influence by the government, but certainly by calls from various organizations (especially trade unions) partly provided in this independence.