The Legislature

The 1987 constitution replaced the bicameral Congress with a unicameral National Assembly. Confirmed by the 1987 constitution consists of ninety members directly elected by a system of proportional representation plus any unelected presidential or vice presidential candidates who receive a certain percentage of the vote. The terms are for six years, to run concurrently with the president's term. The National Assembly has significant powers. Under the constitution, representatives to the National Assembly propose legislation, which is made law by a simple majority of the representatives present if the National Assembly has a quorum (a quorum is half the total number of representatives, plus one). The National Assembly can override a presidential veto by quorum. The constitution also gives the National Assembly the pwer "to consider, discuss and approve" the budget presented by the president. The National Assembly chooses the seven member of the Supreme Court from lists probided by the president and has the authority to "officially interpret the laws," a prerogative the gives the National Assembly judical pwers.