Editing Politics of Niger

{{Short description|none}} <!-- This short description is INTENTIONALLY "none" - please see WP:SDNONE before you consider changing it! -->
{{See also|Government of Niger}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Politics of Niger}}
'''Politics of [[Niger]]''' takes place in a framework of a [[semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]], whereby the [[President of Niger]] is [[head of state]] and the [[Prime Minister of Niger]] [[head of government]], and of a [[multi-party system]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the [[Government of Niger|government]]. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the government and the [[National Assembly of Niger|National Assembly]].

In practice, politics in Niger is unstable. During its independent history, Niger has a long history of dictatorships, coups, and rebellions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=Niger: Freedom in the World 2024 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/niger/freedom-world/2024 |website=Freedom House |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-19 |title=Niger - Independence, Conflict, Sahel |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Niger/Independence-and-conflict |website=Britannica |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Miles |first=William F. S. |date=2024 |title=Niger’s Long Cycle of Poverty and Coups |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/curh.2024.123.853.181 |journal=Current History |volume=123 |issue=853 |pages=181–186 |doi=10.1525/curh.2024.123.853.181 |issn=0011-3530}}</ref> The first transfer of power between democratically chosen presidents took place in the [[2020–21 Nigerien general election|2020–21 elections]].<ref name=":0" /> However, a coup overthrew the civilian government in 2023.<ref name=":0" />

==Political parties and elections==

===Fifth Republic===

====Continuity====
Since the creation of the Fifth Republic in 1999, the political rivalries and parties of the Third Republic have maintained their central role in national politics.  There continue to be three large parties, and several smaller ones, with no single party gaining a majority in the [[National Assembly of Niger]].  In the Third Republic a coalition of the CDS and PNDS was formed with many small parties, in part to keep the former military party of the MNSD out of power.<ref name=MNSD>Jibrin Ibrahim and Abdoulayi Niandou Souley, [http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=11625 "The rise to power of an opposition party: the MNSD in Niger Republic"], Unisa Press, Politeia, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1996.</ref> This coalition collapsed in recriminations in 1995, leading to a PNDS and MNSD government facing a CDS President.  The bad blood and gridlock resulting was one reasons for General Maïnassara's [[1996 Nigerien coup d'etat]].<ref name=My>Myriam Gervais, "Niger: Regime Change, Economic Crisis, and Perpetuation of Privilege", in ''Political Reform in Francophone Africa'' (1997), ed. John F. Clark and David E. Gardinier, pages 100&ndash;101.</ref>

The same three men who dominated the parties in the Third Republic returned in 1999: [[Mamadou Tanja]] for the [[MNSD-Nassara]], [[Mahamadou Issoufou]] of the [[Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism|PNDS]], and [[Mahamane Ousmane]] of [[CDS-Rahama]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Di Lorenzo |first=Amanda |last2=Sborgi |first2=Enrico |date=2001-09-01 |title=The 1999 presidential and legislative elections in Niger |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261379400000202 |journal=Electoral Studies |volume=20 |issue=3 |pages=470–476 |doi=10.1016/S0261-3794(00)00020-2 |issn=0261-3794}}</ref>

====1999 elections====
Following another coup in April 1999, in which Maïnassara was killed, the MNSD-Nassara's Tandja won the [[Nigerien presidential election, 1999|October 1999 presidential election]].<ref name=Rapport>[http://democratie.francophonie.org/IMG/pdf/RAPPORT_DE_LA_MISSION_D_OBSERVATION_DES_ELECTIONS_PRESIDENTIELLES_ET_LEGISLATIVES_DES_17_OCTOBRE_ET_24_NOVEMBRE_1999_.pdf "RAPPORT DE LA MISSION D’OBSERVATION DES ELECTIONS PRESIDENTIELLES ET LEGISLATIVES DES 17 OCTOBRE ET 24 NOVEMBRE 1999"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051018053532/http://democratie.francophonie.org/IMG/pdf/RAPPORT_DE_LA_MISSION_D_OBSERVATION_DES_ELECTIONS_PRESIDENTIELLES_ET_LEGISLATIVES_DES_17_OCTOBRE_ET_24_NOVEMBRE_1999_.pdf |date=18 October 2005 }}, democratie.francophonie.org {{in lang|fr}}.</ref>

In the [[Nigerien parliamentary election, 1999|October 1999 National Assembly Election]], the MNSD won 38 of the 83 seats, forming a government under Hama Amadou with the support of [[CDS-Rahama]]'s 17 seats. The [[Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism|PNDS]] led the opposition with 16 seats, but the continued antagonism between [[Mahamadou Issoufou]] and [[Mahamane Ousmane]] meant that no other coalition was available.  [[ANDP-Zaman Lahiya]], a former split for the MNSD held only four seats.<ref name=Rapport/> In 2002, this coalition was shored up when the ANDP joined the parliamentary majority coalition, the ''Alliance of Democratic Forces'', leaving the opposition Coordination of Democratic Forces.<ref>[http://www.afrique-express.com/archive/OUEST/niger/pol/253landpdedjermakoye.htm "L’ANDP de Djermakoye rallie la mouvance présidentielle"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083621/http://www.afrique-express.com/archive/OUEST/niger/pol/253landpdedjermakoye.htm |date=29 September 2007 }}, ''Afrique Express'', No. 253, 30 July 2002 {{in lang|fr}}.</ref> Djermakoye joined the government as a Minister of State in November 2002, serving in that position until December 2004.<ref>[http://www.izf.net/izf/Guide/Niger/gouvernement.htm List of governments of Niger] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614115916/http://www.izf.net/izf/Guide/Niger/gouvernement.htm |date=14 June 2007 }}, izf.net {{in lang|fr}}.</ref>

==== 2004 elections ====
While Tandja easily retained the presidency against a second round challenge by [[Mahamadou Issoufou]], the [[Nigerien parliamentary election, 2004|2004 National Assembly elections]] were closer.  The PNDS formed a coalition to contest the expanded 113 seats of the National Assembly, which also included the [[Union of Independent Nigeriens|UNI]] (2 seats), the [[Nigerien Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally|PPN]] (2), and the [[PNA-Al'ouma]] (4).  With the PNDS' 17 seats this coalition took 25 seats.  The MNSD remained the largest party at 47 seats, be relied again on CDS-Rahama's 22 seats to govern.  A minor portfolios in the Council of Ministers were given to two smaller parties as well, the [[RDP-Jama'a]] (6 seats) and [[ANDP-Zaman Lahiya]] (5 seats). [[RSD-Gaskiya]] (7 seats) and [[PSDN-Alheri]] (1 seat) remained aloof of both blocs.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20020830094821/http://www.assemblee.ne/organes/ldpgp.htm Parliamentary groups in the National Assembly], National Assembly web site (2001 archive page) {{in lang|fr}}.</ref>

====2007 PM crisis====
In December 2004 Hama Amadou was again chosen as Prime Minister. Mahamane Ousmane, the head of the CDS, was re-elected President of the National Assembly. The new second term government of the Fifth Republic took office on 30 December 2004. In June 2007, a no confidence vote against the government led to the fall of the Prime Minister [[Hama Amadou]] and his ministers. Amadou was replaced by [[Seyni Oumarou]], also of the president's [[MNSD-Nassara]] party, leading to infighting within a portion of the party still loyal to Amadou.<ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2351754,00.html Niger's ruling party faces crisis]. AFP 04/07/2008</ref> Broad changes were made to the [[Council of Ministers of Niger]], with MNSD-Nassara continuing to take the majority of portfolios, but with the CDS, RDP-Jama'a, and NDP-Zaman Lahiya retaining Ministerial appointments.

====Tazarce====
In the run up to the 2009 elections (Presidential, Assembly, and Municipal), a movement to draft President Tandja for a third term appeared.  Led by public figures of the MNSD outside government, the group took the name of Tandja's 2004 re-election slogan, ''Tazarce'': a [[Hausa language|Hausa]] word meaning "''Continuity''".  Through several well funded and well attended public rallies in late 2008, the President remained silent on the calls for him to remain.<ref>[http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/DEPAPA83412/-gouvernance-Le-President-Tandja-reste-muet-sur-les-appels-en-faveur-d?une-prolongation-de-son-mandat.html Le Président Tandja reste muet sur les appels en faveur d’une prolongation de son mandat].  APA 19 December 2008</ref> The 1999 constitution made the serving of more than two term impossible (article 36), and the revision of that article illegal by any means (article 136).  The [[Prime Minister of Niger|Prime Minister]] [[Seyni Oumarou]] reiterated on 22 January that all scheduled elections would go ahead before the end of 2009.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aOI6DPL_PJZc&refer=africa Niger Plans Election by December, Prime Minister Says]. Abdoulaye Ibbo Daddy, [[Bloomberg news]].  22 January 2009.</ref> In March, during his meetings with French President Sarkozy, Tandja explicitly stated that he would not seek a third term.<ref>[http://www.congoplus.info/fr/international/afrique-de-louest/628-niger--l-je-suis-pret-a-partir-a-la-fin-de-mon-mandat-r-affirme-le-president-nigerien  Niger : « Je suis prêt à partir à la fin de mon mandat », affirme le Président nigérien]. APA 28 Mars 2009 11:34
<br />
« je ne cherche pas un autre mandat. Donc je suis très clair là-dessus, je n’ai demandé à aucun nigérien si on peut faire ceci ou cela. Jamais, et je n’ai jamais demandé quoi que ce soit pour changer la constitution nigérienne ou à y chercher des modifications »</ref>

Then, in early May 2009, when questioned by the press on his visit to Agadez to begin peace talks with Tuareg rebels, Tandja announced that "the people have demanded I remain."<ref>[http://www.tamtaminfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1319:le-president-de-la-republique-mamadou-tandja-lle-peuple-demande-que-je-reste-je-ne-peux-pas-rester-insensible-a-son-appelr-&catid=44:politique&Itemid=61 Le président de la République Mamadou Tandja: «Le peuple demande que je reste, je ne peux pas rester insensible à son appel.»]. LE TEMOIN 04 - 8 May 2009.</ref> His spokesman then outlined a plan in which a referendum could be held in mid-2009, not to amend the 1999 constitution, but to scrap it and begin work on a constitution of the Sixth Republic of Niger, which would contain no term limits for the President, and create a fully [[Presidential republic]].<ref>[http://www.tamtaminfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1362:chronogramme-tazartche-bonus-de-3-ans-pour-tandja-elections-locales-et-legislatives-en-2009-elections-presidentielles-auxquelles-tandja-pouvait-participer-en-2012&catid=44:politique&Itemid=61 Chronogramme Tazartché: Bonus de 3 ans pour Tandja, Elections locales et législatives en 2009, Elections présidentielles (auxquelles Tandja pouvait participer) en 2012].  LE TEMOIN du 11 au 15 mai 2009</ref>
<ref>[http://www.republicain-niger.com/index.asp?affiche=News_Display.asp&articleid=5404 ANNONCE DU RÉFÉRENDUM Le planning du Tazartché] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715174815/http://www.republicain-niger.com/index.asp?affiche=News_Display.asp&articleid=5404 |date=15 July 2011 }}.  Oumarou Keïta. Republicain-Niger. 15 May 2009.</ref>
<ref>[http://www.republicain-niger.com/index.asp?affiche=News_Display.asp&articleid=5403 RÉFÉRENDUM CONSTITUTIONNEL Une présidence à vie s'annonce !] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715174821/http://www.republicain-niger.com/index.asp?affiche=News_Display.asp&articleid=5403 |date=15 July 2011 }}  Oumarou Keïta. Republicain-Niger. 15 May 2009.</ref>
<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/function/0,,82231_cid_4257991,00.html ALa Cedeao contre la réforme constitutionnelle prévue au Niger ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519114641/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/function/0%2C%2C82231_cid_4257991%2C00.html |date=19 May 2009 }}.  [[Deutsche Welle]]. 15 May 2009.</ref>

On 15 May 2009, in response to their parties opposition to a proposed referendum to allow the President to seek a third term, the three members of [[RDP-Jama'a]] and [[ANDP-Zaman Lahiya]] were replaced with ministers drawn from the MNSD-Nassara. With the continued support of the CDS, the MNSD maintained a working majority of 67 seats in the 113 seat National Assembly.<ref>[http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/info/afp_article.php?idrub=6&xml=newsmlmmd.2227c5aa1b620aa0aa0fbb325e51f139.ab1.xml Remaniement gouvernemental au Niger, nouveau ministre de la Justice]. AFP 15 May 2009</ref>

According to the 1999 [[Constitution of Niger]], the President may call a [[referendum]] on any matter (except for a revision of those elements of the Constitution outlined in Article 136—including the presidential term limits).  The [[Constitutional Court of Niger]] and the [[National Assembly of Niger]] must advise the president, but there is no provision that the president must heed their advice.  On 25 May 2009, the Constitutional Court, made up of appointed judges, released a ruling that any referendum to create a new constitution would be [[unconstitutional]], and further would be a violation of the oath the president had taken on the [[Koran]] (a serious matter in this overwhelmingly Muslim country).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724183233/http://af.reuters.com/article/nigerNews/idAFLQ4311320090526?feedType=RSS&feedName=nigerNews Niger court says third-term referendum unlawful]. Reuters. 26 May 2009</ref><ref>[http://nigerdiaspora.info/index.php/politique/politique/la-cour-constitutionnelle-du-niger-s%E2%80%99oppose-au-projet-de-changement-de-constitution-/ La Cour constitutionnelle du Niger s’oppose au projet de changement de constitution] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604204159/http://nigerdiaspora.info/index.php/politique/politique/la-cour-constitutionnelle-du-niger-s%E2%80%99oppose-au-projet-de-changement-de-constitution-/ |date=4 June 2009 }} APA News. 25 May 2009.</ref> The week prior, two major parties had come out in their opposition to the referendum proposal as well.  On 13 May, the [[ANDP-Zaman Lahiya]], led by former MNSD number two Djermokoye declared its opposition to any change in the constitution.  On 15 May the [[CDS-Rahama]], the party without which the MNSD could not have formed governments in 1999, 2004, and 2007, came out opposing the referendum, and calling the constitution unalterable.<ref>[http://nigerdiaspora.info/index.php/politique/politique/le-principal-parti-alli%C3%A9-de-tandja-contre-son-projet-de-r%C3%A9f%C3%A9rendum/ Le principal parti allié de Tandja contre son projet de référendum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519131030/http://nigerdiaspora.info/index.php/politique/politique/le-principal-parti-alli%C3%A9-de-tandja-contre-son-projet-de-r%C3%A9f%C3%A9rendum/ |date=19 May 2009 }}. AFP 15 May 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.tamtaminfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1372:declaration-du-bureau-politique-cds-rahama-sur-le-schema-l-tazartche-r-propose-au-president-de-la-republique&catid=44:politique&Itemid=61 Declaration du Bureau Politique CDS Rahama sur le schéma « Tazartché » proposé au président de la république].  Bureau Politique [[CDS-Rahama]].  15 May 2009.</ref> Neither party moved into the opposition, and both Ousmane and Djermokoye said they were willing to negotiate with the president.<ref>[http://www.tamtaminfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1365:-ousmane-et-djermokoye-esperent-toujours-louverture-des-negociations-avec-tandja&catid=44:politique&Itemid=61 Ousmane et Djermokoye espèrent toujours l’ouverture des négociations avec Tandja ]. LE TEMOIN du 11 au 15 mai 200</ref>

On 26 March, within hours of the Constitutional courts statement, official media read out a statement that President Tandja had dissolved the National Assembly.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724183335/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE54P0EL20090526?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews Niger's Tandja dissolves parliament]. Reuters. 26 May 2009</ref> Under the 1999 Constitution he is allowed to do once every two years,<ref>Matthew Søberg Shugart. [http://dss.ucsd.edu/~mshugart/semi-presidentialism.pdf Semi-Presidential Systems: Dual Executive and Mixed Authority Patterns] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819200307/http://dss.ucsd.edu/~mshugart/semi-presidentialism.pdf |date=19 August 2008 }}. School of International Relations and Pacific Studies. University of California, San Diego (September 2005).</ref> but he must call parliamentary elections with three months.  This would mean the government of Niger would carry out [[Nigerien parliamentary election, 2009|scheduled parliamentary elections]] in September, two months early, and a referendum on a new constitution before Presidential elections which can take place no later than December, assuming the 1999 constitution is in effect.

===2010 Coup===

{{main|2010 Nigerien coup d'état}}
On February 19 a group calling itself the Supreme Council for Restoration of Democracy (CSRD) stormed the presidential palace during a meeting and took the president Mamadou Tandja hostage. Colonel Goukoye Abdul Karimou, spokesman for CSRD announced on state television that the country's constitution had been suspended and all state institutions dissolved. It is believed that the president is being held in a garrison in the capital city with his resignation being sought.
<ref>{{cite web | url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/02/201021812457200576.html | title=Breaking News, World News and Video from al Jazeera }}</ref>

===Political parties===
{{elect|List of political parties in Niger|Elections in Niger}}

==Constitution==
{{Main|Constitution of Niger}}
The constitution of December 1992 was revised by national [[referendum]] on 12 May 1996 and, again, by referendum, revised to the current version on 18 July 1999. It restored the semi-presidential system of government of the December 1992 constitution (Third Republic) in which the president of the republic, elected by [[universal suffrage]] for a five-year term, and a prime minister named by the president share executive power. As a reflection of Niger's increasing population, the [[unicameral]] [[National Assembly of Niger|National Assembly]] was expanded in 2004 to 113 deputies elected for a 5-year term under a majority system of representation. Political parties must attain at least 5% of the vote in order to gain a seat in the legislature.

==Executive branch==
{{Main|President of Niger}}
{{office-table}}
|[[List of heads of state of Niger|President]] of the [[National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Niger general Tchiani named head of transitional government after coup |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/28/niger-general-tchiani-named-head-of-transitional-government-after-coup |access-date=29 July 2023 |work=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] |date=6 August 2023 |archive-date=28 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728213811/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/28/niger-general-tchiani-named-head-of-transitional-government-after-coup |url-status=live |quote=saying he was the 'president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland'}}</ref>
|[[Abdourahamane Tchiani]]
|rowspan=2|[[Niger Armed Forces]]
|rowspan=3|26 July 2023
|-
|[[Vice President of Niger|Vice President]] of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland<ref>{{cite news |author1=Sidonie Aurore Bonny |title=Niger junta appoints civilians to Cabinet, member of military as vice president |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/niger-junta-appoints-civilians-to-cabinet-member-of-military-as-vice-president/2960248 |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=[[Anadolu Agency]] |date=3 August 2023 |location=[[Douala, Cameroon]] |quote=Gen. Salifou Modi, Bazoum's former army chief of staff and the ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, is now vice president of the junta.}}</ref>
|[[Salifou Modi]]
|-
|[[Prime Minister of Niger|Prime Minister]]
|colspan=2 align="center"|Vacant
|}
[[Niger]]'s new constitution restores the semi-presidential system of government of the December 1992 constitution (Third Republic) in which the [[President of Niger|President of the Republic]] is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term, and a [[Prime Minister of Niger|prime minister]], named by the president, share executive power.

==Legislative branch==
{{Main|National Assembly of Niger}}
The [[National Assembly of Niger|National Assembly]] (''Assemblée Nationale'') has 113 members, elected for a five-year term, 105 members elected in multi-seat [[constituency|constituencies]] and 8 members elected in single-seat national minority constituencies. Political parties must attain at least 5% of the vote in order to gain a seat in the legislature.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*[http://aceproject.org/regions-en/gi/NE/default?set_language=en   Niger: Description of Electoral System]. ACE Electoral Knowledge Network, United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Democratic Governance Thematic Trust Fund (DGTTF). 1998–2009.
*[http://aceproject.org/epic-en/CDCountry?country=NE#ES01   Niger: Comparative Electoral Data]. ACE Electoral Knowledge Network, United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Democratic Governance Thematic Trust Fund (DGTTF). 1998–2009.

{{Nigerien elections}}
{{Africa in topic|Politics of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics of Niger}}
[[Category:Politics of Niger| ]]