Politics of Chad

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Chad
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Chad

President Idriss Déby Government Prime Minister Delwa Kassiré Koumakoye National Assembly Political parties Elections: 2007 parl. 2006 pres. Regions Departments Foreign relations
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Politics of Chad takes place in a framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Chad is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament.

1 Executive branch
2 Legislative branch
3 Judicial branch
4 Political parties and elections
5 International organization participation

Main office holders
Office	Name	Party	Since
President	Idriss Déby	MPS	2 December 1990
Prime Minister	Pascal Yoadimnadji	MPS	4 February 2005

A strong executive branch headed by President Idriss Déby dominates the Chadian political system. Following his military overthrow of Hissène Habré in December 1990, Déby won presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. The constitutional basis for the government is the 1996 constitution, under which the president was limited to two terms of office until Déby had that provision repealed in 2005. The president has the power to appoint the prime minister and the Council of State (or cabinet), and exercises considerable influence over appointments of judges, generals, provincial officials and heads of Chad’s parastatal firms. In cases of grave and immediate threat, the president, in consultation with the National Assembly President and Council of State, may declare a state of emergency. Most of the Déby's key advisors are members of the Zaghawa clan, although some southern and opposition personalities are represented in his government.

According to the 1996 constitution, the National Assembly deputies are elected by universal suffrage for 4-year terms. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for spring 2002. The Assembly holds regular sessions twice a year, starting in March and October, and can hold special sessions as necessary and called by the prime minister. Deputies elect a president of the National Assembly every 2 years. Assembly deputies or members of the executive branch may introduce legislation; once passed by the Assembly, the president must take action to either sign or reject the law within 15 days. The National Assembly must approve the prime minister’s plan of government and may force the prime minister to resign through a majority vote of no-confidence. However, if the National Assembly rejects the executive branch’s program twice in one year, the president may disband the Assembly and call for new legislative elections. In practice, the president exercises considerable influence over the National Assembly through the MPS party structure.

Despite the constitution’s guarantee of judicial independence from the executive branch, the president names most key judicial officials. The Supreme Court is made up of a chief justice, named by the president, and 15 councilors chosen by the president and National Assembly; appointments are for life. The Constitutional Council, with nine judges elected to 9-year terms, has the power to review all legislation, treaties and international agreements prior to their adoption. The constitution recognizes customary and traditional law in locales where it is recognized and to the extent it does not interfere with public order or constitutional guarantees of equality for all citizens.

For other political parties see List of political parties in Chad. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Chad.

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**Summary of the 3 May 2006 Chadian presidential election results**
Candidates	Nominating parties	Votes	%
Idriss Déby	Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS)	1,863,042	64.67
Delwa Kassiré Koumakoye	National Rally for Development and Progress (Viva-RNDP)	436,002	15.13
Albert Pahimi Padacké	National Rally for Democracy in Chad (RNDT-Le Réveil)	225,368	7.82
Mahamat Abdoulaye	People's Movement for Democracy in Chad (MPDT)	203,637	7.07
Brahim Koulamallah	Renewed African Socialist Movement (MSA/R)	152,940	5.31
Total (turnout 53.1%)			100.00
Source: African Elections Database; Boycotted by major opposition parties.

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**Summary of the 21 April 2002 National Assembly of Chad election results**
Parties	Votes	%	Seats
Patriotic Salvation Movement (Mouvement Patriotique de Salut or MPS)		.	113
Rally for Democracy and Progress (Rassemblement pour la Démocratie et le Progrès or RDP)		.	10
Front of Action Forces for the Republic (Front des Forces d'Action pour la République or FAR)		.	10
National Rally for Development and Progress (Rassemblement National pour le Développement et le Progrès or RNDP)		.	5
National Union for Democracy and Renewal (Union Nationale pour la Démocratie et le Rénouveau or UNDR)		.	5
Union for Renewal and Democracy (Union pour le Rénouveau et la Démocratie or URD)		.	3
Action for Unity and Socialism (Action pour l'Unité et le Socialisme or ACTUS)		.	1
Action for Renewal of Chad (Action pour le Rénouveau du Tchad or ARD)		.	1
People's Movement for Democracy in Chad (Mouvement Populaire pour la Démocratie au Tchad or MPDT)		.	1
National Democratic and Federal Convention (Convention nationale Démocratique et Fédérale or CDF)		.	1
National Democratic and Social Convention (Convention National Démocratique et Sociale or CNDS)		.	1
Rally for the Republic - Lingui (Rassemblement pour la République - Lingui or RPR-Lingui)		.	1
National Rally for Democracy in Chad (Rassemblement National pour la Démocratie au Tchad - le Réveil or RNDT)		.	1
National Union (Union Nationale or UN)		.	1
Rally of Democratic Forces in Chad (Rassemblement des Forces Démocratiques au Tchad or RFDT)		.	1
Total (turnout 52.4 %)	2,185,646		155
Source: IPU Parline.