MPs to rise for recess if cabinet not named till Monday

KABUL — or lower house of parliament — will start its winter break if new cabinet picks are not introduced on Monday for a vote of confidence, an official said on Sunday.

After taking oath on September 29, both President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah had promised unveiling the cabinet within 45 days — a deadline they have failed to meet.

Earlier, the lower house had given the government one week’s time to introduce the cabinet. The president had also promised during the oath-taking ceremony for 34 newly-elected senators the cabinet would be named soon.

Wolesi Jirga Deputy Secretary Irfanullah Irfan told Pajhwok Afghan News: “As of 12.30pm on Sunday, we haven’t received any list of ministers-designate.”  The house will rise for its 45-day winter vacation on Jan 20.

Under the jirga rules of business, documents of the ministers-designate are scrutinised in four days and the cabinet picks also need a few days to spell out their priorities before the assembly hand them votes of confidence.

“If the government doesn’t refer the cabinet choices to the house for trust vote in a day or two, we will be left with no time to vote for or against them.  We will embark on our winter break,” the deputy secretary explained.

A day earlier, Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi told the lower house President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani had promised to introduce his cabinet nominees on Monday.

Under Article 107 of the Constitution, the National Assembly convenes two ordinary sessions each year. The term of the assembly in each year is nine months, a period that can be extended when necessary.

Clause 4 of the article states extraordinary sessions of the assembly during recess can take place by the order of the president.

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