Zanu PF MPs to vote for opposition Speaker

Zanu PF MPs to vote for opposition Speaker

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ZIMBABWE'S ruling Zanu-PF party did not nominate a candidate for the key post of parliamentary speaker on Monday, leaving the role to be filled by the opposition.

Zimbabwe's parliament is due to elect a new speaker later on Monday but only Morgan Tsvangirai's opposition Movement for Democratic Change and a breakaway faction led by Arthur Mutambara nominated candidates for the post.

The parliamentary speaker is one of the most powerful posts in Zimbabwe politics.

Zanu PF MPs were likely to swing behind the Mutambara MDC's candidate, Paul Themba Nyathi in a hung parliament where it lost its majority for the first time in March elections.

The Tsvangirai MDC has 100 seats in parliament to Zanu PF's 99 -- and either party needs the Mutambara MDC's 10 MPs to reach the magic number of 106 which would enable them to pass legislation.

If Mutambara's MDC secures the Speaker's post, their MPs may be forced to vote with Zanu PF on future legislation as pay back -- although some MPs may be uncomfortable with this.
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