By Burnett Munthali
The new Leader of Opposition Dr. George Chaponda has pledged to provide strong opposition in Parliament with an aim of serving the needs of vulnerable Malawians.
Dr. Chaponda told Zodiak that his target will center on providing relevant checks and balances to ensure transparent government operations.
He has also asked government to act swiftly on social economic challenges which Malawians are facing.
Meanwhile, political commentator Victor Chipofya has challenged Dr Chaponda to walk the talk as most Malawians have been complaining of weak Opposition in Parliament.
The DPP appointed Dr George Chaponda as Leader of Opposition in Parliament, replacing Kondwani Nankhumwa following his expulsion from the party.
The role of opposition is to ensure that the Government does not take any steps, which might have negative effects on the people of the country. The role of the opposition in legislature is basically to check the excesses of the ruling or dominant party, and not to be totally antagonistic.
It’s is also responsible for scrutinising closely, examining the work of the government, asking the government to explain its actions, especially during Question Time, debating bills – proposed laws – in Parliament.
The Official Opposition is viewed as the caucus tasked with keeping the government in check. It is also generally viewed as the alternative government or “government in waiting”.
In politics, the opposition comprises one or more political parties or other organized groups that are opposed, primarily ideologically, to the government (or, in American English, the administration), party or group in political control of a city, region, state, country or other political body.
