Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe was jeered today as he opened parliament in defiance of opposition objections, but voiced optimism for a power-sharing deal to end political turmoil.
Heckling by parliamentarians from the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) drowned out Mr Mugabe's speech, underscoring the bitterness of the divide. It said reconvening parliament could undermine deadlocked talks.
"Landmark agreements have been concluded, with every expectation that everyone will sign up," said Mr Mugabe (84) whose ZANU-PF party goes into the new parliament without a majority for the first time since independence from Britain in 1980.
"The elections are now behind us, what is upon us is a challenge of vision and common purposes. Now is the time for us to put Zimbabwe first," Mr Mugabe said.
Opposition MPs snubbed Mr Mugabe by not rising when he entered the chamber and chanted "ZANU is rotten!"
The MDC, which does not recognise Mr Mugabe as president, said he had no right to open the chamber. Mr Mugabe was re-elected unopposed in a June vote boycotted by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai because of violence and condemned around the world.
Deadlock in talks between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai over how to share power has undermined hopes for an agreement that might allow Zimbabwe to recover from its devastating economic decline.
Despite earlier threats to boycott the opening of parliament, opposition members did attend the ceremony in the chamber where MDC member Lovemore Moyo was elected to the powerful position of Speaker yesterday.
"The capture of the Speaker's chair by the MDC levelled the ground, effectively achieving a power-sharing structure in the legislature outside the negotiations," said Eldred Masunungure, political science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe.
"This represents a shift of some power away from ZANU-PF and this should provide some considerable leverage for the MDC when talks resume."
But ZANU-PF also holds a key post as head of the Senate, complicating a power struggle as the two parties come under mounting pressure to reach a breakthrough.
Zimbabweans hope for a new leadership that can tackle the world's highest inflation rate of over 11 million per cent and severe food, fuel and foreign currency shortages that have driven millions to neighbouring countries.
Political analysts say that although the political talks look doomed, they are likely to resume in coming weeks because the rivals are under intense pressure to reach a settlement. Southern African countries are pushing hard for a deal.
After Mr Mugabe's speech, parliament adjourned until October, which could give both sides more time to agree.
Without a power-sharing deal accepted as credible by major Western countries, Zimbabwe's economy will only decline further, analysts say. Mr Mugabe's critics say his policies that helped wreck the economy, in particular the seizure of white-owned commercial farms to give to inexperienced black farmers.
Mr Mugabe's party lost control of parliament in March elections, winning 99 seats, but Mr Tsvangirai's party only won 100 seats so does not have an absolute majority either.
That leaves control in the hands of Arthur Mutambara's breakaway MDC wing, which has 10 seats. Analysts say Mutambara has been moving closer to Mugabe. There is one independent.
Reuters