The political framework of Chad

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Mahamat Idriss DÉBY (since 6 May 2024)
Prime Minister: Allamaye HALINA (since 23 May 2024)

Next Election Dates

Presidential: 2029
Legislative: December 2029

Main Political Parties

Chad is a one-party dominant state, with the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) holding power. While opposition parties are allowed, they are widely considered to have little chance of gaining power. There are around 60 political parties in the country, with about 15 represented in the National Assembly, including

- Rally for Democracy and Progress
- National Rally for Development and Progress
- Federation, Action for the Republic (radical and federalist)
- Chadian Action for Unity and Socialism (Marxist)
- National Union for Democracy and Renewal (socialist)
- Union for Renewal and Democracy
- Action for Renewal of Chad
- People's Movement for Democracy in Chad
- National Democratic and Federal Convention
- National Democratic and Social Convention
- Rally for the Republic - Lingui
- National Rally for Democracy in Chad
- National Union
- Rally of Democratic Forces in Chad.

Executive Power

The president of Chad is the head of state and is elected directly by the people for a renewable five-year term (the constitutional provision which limited the president's term to a maximum of two mandates was removed in 2005). The president appoints the prime minister and the cabinet (known as the Council of State). The president has a strong influence on the legislative power, as he can dissolve the National Assembly in the situation of persistent conflicts between the executive and the legislative branches or if twice within a year the National Assembly rejects the government’s program.

Legislative Power

The legislative power in Chad is vested in both the government and the parliament. The parliament is unicameral, composed of the National Assembly with 188 deputies elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term. The president of the Assembly is elected by the deputies every two years. Legislation may be proposed by both deputies and members of the executive. After approval by the Assembly, the president has 15 days to either sign or reject the law. On 20 April 2021, after the death of President Idriss Déby, the National Assembly was dissolved and its functions were assumed by the Transitional Military Council led by Mahamat Déby. On 10 October 2022, the Council was dissolved and replaced by a transitional administration appointed by Mahamat Déby.