By Sishuwa Sishuwa
Why do members of parliament cross the floor in African democracies? How do they justify their decisions to themselves and to their supporters? What helps them to win re-election in subsequent parliamentary by-elections? This new research uses a case study of Zambia since 1991 and in-depth interviews with 10 MPs from different parliaments to shed light on these questions. Read or download the full article on the link below.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03057070.2024.2458407
Most MPs cross to ruling parties to protect their businesses from goverment harassment, others to continue getting contracts, others to hide their previous shady deals and avoid prosecutions whilst others are just weak spines to stand opposition politics. Most who do such have life long histories of being unprincipled
But why did GBM cross to opposition UPND? And back to PF? Why did Dorah cross to PF? Why did Kakoma cross to PF and back to UPND? I dont see this in developed democracies.
Simply put, greed and serious lack of principles.
Thank you LT for not putting this chaps whole article up
We are not in kindergarten so its already obvious to all
Thank you
Lack of principle and greed for wealth. Look at the numbskull called Chawinga…. would he behave that way if the PF were ruling?NO. In West Africa coups take place because of mistrust for politicians.
Why is it difficult to trust those who cross the floor? Why are they a big risk to both the opposition where they are coming from and to the ruling party where they are going?
Most of the people in the political space are their for their selfish needs.