As PN went to press, the Nepali parliament was drifting into its fifth month without a government largely because of the obstinacy of the Nepali Congress party. The political deadlock is causing a financial crisis because a caretaker government cannot legally pass a budget.
On 19 October, the Maoists announced that they would only agree to the passing of the budget once the formation of a new government had been agreed with the other parties.
However, they indicated that they would be willing to allow the passing of a “technical budget”, “only to pay for day to day expenditure sans allocation for policy, programme or new projects,” in the words of Maoist leader Dev Gurung.
The Maoists have also made progress on the crucial issue of integrating Maoist ex-guerrillas into the Nepali security forces dependent on progress on the formation of a new government – and the drafting of a new constitution. On this at least there has been some progress.
On 19 October, it was announced that the parties had agreed nine of 11 key issues. The two remaining questions were: the form of a new electoral system; and whether to adopt the presidential or the Westminster model of leadership.
The Maoists want a presidential system; the other parties want a prime minister with a ceremonial head of state.
On 18 October, Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudyal, stated that a new constitution should be promulgated only after the integration of Maoist ex-guerrillas with the security forces. The drifting continues.
Topics: Nepal