In the first round, a Prime Minister (PM) candidate must secure a majority of total Assembly membership i.e. currently 169 of 336. Even if there is only one candidate, he or she must secure these many votes to stand elected as Prime Minister. If one candidate stands and fails, all proceedings shall restart. If multiple candidates stand and none achieves this majority, a second round is held between the top two and the winner needs only a majority of members present and voting.
Why it matters for the National Assembly proceedings?
The two-round threshold system ensures the Prime Minister has genuine majority support. The shift from absolute majority in round one to relative majority in round two is a practical accommodation that prevents permanent deadlock while privileging broad-based support in the first instance.
What is in it for citizens?
When a PM election requires a second round, citizens should note that the winner’s mandate is narrower as they needed only a majority of those present, not of the full Assembly. This does not affect constitutional legitimacy, but may affect the political strength of the PM’s parliamentary position from the outset.
Source: Rule 35, Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007
The proceedings of the National Assembly are governed by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. The current rules were passed on 23 February 2007 and have since been amended 21 times, most recently on 22 October 2024.
This post is part of FAFEN’s series on parliamentary literacy. Read more of this series here.
