Manama: Bahrain’s government has rejected seven amendments to the constitution suggested by the lower chamber of the bicameral parliament.
Proposals
Under the proposed amendments, the lower chamber would have more power. The National Assembly, comprising the lower and upper chambers, would be chaired by the Speaker of the lower chamber instead of the Chairman of the upper chamber, according the suggested amendments.
Further, draft laws will be first debated by the upper chamber, then by the lower chamber, which will refer it to the government. Amendments to the constitution can be suggested by 15 members of the upper or lower house. The government has a maximum of three months to answer parliamentary proposals, while decisions on financial and economic draft laws must be taken within 21 days instead of the current 15.
Changes unacceptable
However, the government said that these amendments could not be accepted for the sake of constitutional and political stability.
“The current constitution of Bahrain is new. Not enough time has elapsed since it was promulgated and there are no real motives for amending it.
There is no urgent, serious or genuine need to accept the suggested constitutional amendments,” the government said.
Bahrain’s constitution was promulgated in 2002 and set up the bicameral system of the parliament.
