Billy Ntaote
Democratic Congress (DC) legislator, Ntlhoi Motsamai, has been tipped to bounce back as Speaker of Parliament when the august house holds a special meeting on Tuesday to swear-in members of the 9th National Assembly.
According to impeccable sources who spoke to the Sunday Express yesterday, Ms Motsamai—who won the Hloahloeng constituency in the 28 February snap elections—is an outright favourite for the post she held during the 7th Parliament.
A coalition of seven parties, namely the DC, Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), Basotho Congress Party (BCP), National Independent Party (NIP), Lesotho People’s Congress (LPC) and Popular Front for Democracy (PFD) on Wednesday elected DC leader and former premier Pakalitha Mosisili as the country’s next prime minister.
The DC won 47 of the 120 parliamentary seats on offer, while the All Basotho Convention, LCD, Basotho National Party, Reformed Congress of Lesotho, PFD, BCP, LPC, MFP and NIP took 46, 12, seven, two, two, one, one, one and one, respectively.
According to National Assembly Senior Information Officer, Neo Mokatsa, King Letsie III had called for the special meeting at Parliament Buildings, with the swearing in of MPs topping the agenda.
“The main agenda of the meeting would be the swearing-in of MPs, followed by the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker,” Ms Mokatsa said
Following the election, Ms Mokatsa said the National Assembly would adjourn indefinitely.
According to Government Secretary Moahloli Mphaka, Dr Mosisili would be inaugurated as premier on 17 March, with the new cabinet taking oath two days later.
Contacted to comment on the possibility of Ms Motsamai resuming her previous position, DC Secretary General Ralechate ‘Mokose, said: “We can’t speculate on this issue. We are still working out who takes what position in consultation with leaders of the other parties in the coalition we just formed.
“We are partners and have to make collective decisions.”
Attempts to get a comment from Ms Motsamai were fruitless yesterday.
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