The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Counselor Aguila Saleh, stated that the President of the Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, is acting as an adversary to Parliament and is attempting to encroach upon its legislative competencies, stressing that his recent actions represent a clear violation of the principle of separation of powers.
Saleh said in a statement to the House of Representatives’ media center that the Presidential Council’s welcoming of the Supreme Court’s rulings constitutes interference in the legislative authority and a siding against Parliament. He explained that the formation of the Supreme Constitutional Court does not violate the principle of separation of powers, but rather constitutes a fundamental guarantee for protecting the constitution and preserving legitimacy.
Saleh indicated that Al-Menfi’s objection to the formation of the Supreme Constitutional Court stems from ignorance of the nature of his own competencies, calling on him to adhere to the limits of his powers as stipulated in the Geneva Agreement and not to interfere in the work of the legislative authority. Saleh also supported the positions of the two deputies of the Presidential Council President, Abdullah Al-Lafi and Musa Al-Koni, regarding their objection to Al-Menfi’s recent statement.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives affirmed that Parliament is the sole body authorized to regulate the judiciary, and that this does not constitute interference in the work of the judicial authority or a derogation of its independence. He stressed that reviewing the constitutionality of laws is a necessity to ensure respect for the constitution and the protection of rights and freedoms.
Saleh concluded by emphasizing that the body responsible for constitutional review must be independent to ensure the orderly functioning of institutions and to entrench the rule of law. He noted that it was the legislator who granted the Supreme Court the authority of constitutional review and previously withdrew it, calling for the adoption of a dual judiciary system and the establishment of an independent administrative court, following the example of developed countries.