Chinamasa calls for smaller parliament

Responding to questions after presenting a ministerial statement in Parliament last week, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa said there is need to reduce the number of legislators so as to reduce the wage bill. Chinamasa gave examples of countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom with better economies and huge populations but fewer parliamentarians.

Said Chinamasa:

Again, Honourable Misihairabwi-Mushonga, I agree with you that we have to reduce the wage bill, but it is not an easy walk in the park. If I came to Parliament and said, for instance what we agreed in the new Constitution is not sustainable, let me be very frank with you; it is not sustainable. The size of this Parliament is not sustainable, but if I came and say let us amend, there will be populists’ sentiments. Yes, there is no way. Our population is 14 million and we have about 350 Members of Parliament. Japan with a population of 90 million has something of that size in Parliament. We do not have that size of economy like Japan or the UK. No, but I am saying it does not need to come from me. Nothing stops you from bringing a motion to say let us reduce the size of our Parliament. You have the power to change the Constitution. 

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