Tag Archives: Constitution

02/12/13

Beyond land and race? Defining a decentralised and multi-ethnic Zimbabwe in a new Constitution

flag-zimbabweIs it possible to make a shift from a centralised to a truly multi-ethnic and decentralised understanding of the Zimbabwean nation? The African country seems ready to explore a new national path after a new Constitution has been drafted by the Constitution Parliamentary Committee (COPAC). The final version of the text was adopted in January 31st, and the date of a referendum on its ratification is expected for 2013.

The new Constitution is supported by the two largest parties in Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC. If finally adopted, the text could mark a milestone in Zimbabwe’s history, since for the first time ever presidential powers will be somewhat limited. It also opens the door to the establishment of a decentralised state, including the devolution of legislative and executive powers to provincial and metropolitan councils. As usual in other African states, a “cultural” and “customary” role will be given to traditional leaders. Continue reading →

12/13/12

The Constitution of Egypt: never forgetting Arab nationalism, always forgetting other peoples

Egypt is a state that is part of the Arab nation. No traces of other non-Arab peoples are worth to be mentioned. These are two principles contained in the draft Constitution that is about to be voted in Egypt, and that is being contested by laicist and leftist sectors of the Egyptian society. In fact, none of both principles comes as a surprise: the official declaration of Egypt as a piece of the Arab nation already guided the provisional 2011 Constitution, the 1971 Constitution under Anwar El Sadat and, of course, the previous 1956-1971 constitutions under Gamal Abdel Nasser. Continue reading →

03/20/12

The Spanish Constitution of 1812, or how to divide something indivisible into 20 or more pieces

Nothing lasts forever, especially in politics. Spanish leaders mark today the 200th anniversary of the enactment of the first Spanish Constitution, in 1812 by the Cortes of Cádiz. Two relevant aspects emerge from the text: first, the recognition of the “Spanish Nation” (capitalized in the original) as the holder of the sovereignty, and secondly, the territorial boundaries of Spain, extremely diminished since. Continue reading →