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Harare: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's plan to open parliament on Tuesday drew fierce criticism from the main opposition MDC, escalating a post-election power struggle that endangers power-sharing talks.
The MDC, which does not recognise Mugabwe as president, said he had no right to address parliament until the deadlocked negotiations were completed.
"The dialogue has not been completed. It is arrogant and reckless for anybody to come and address parliament. Mugabe is not mandated by anyone to address parliament. Nobody has the right to address parliament before talks are completed," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said.
Chamisa said the MDC had made a decision on whether to boycott the opening of parliament later on Tuesday but refused to say what the decision was.
Mugabe is expected to open parliament after his ZANU-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change won key positions in the two chambers on Monday, complicating Zimbabwe's post-election political crisis.
Chamisa admitted that the MDC was in a difficult position because its candidate had been elected speaker of parliament - one of the most powerful posts in Zimbabwean politics.
"We are also in a difficult position because our national chairman (Lovemore Moyo) is now the speaker, and we have to decide how to proceed," Chamisa said.
The MDC has protested against Mugabe's plans to open parliament, saying it would hamper talks on forming a unity government.
The balance of power remains delicate.
ZANU-PF won a vote for the presidency of the upper house of parliament, the Senate - where it has a majority - meaning it can block legislation passed by parliament.
Negotiations between ZANU-PF and the MDC have stalled over what the opposition says is Mugabe's refusal to give up executive power after 28 years in office.
The deadlock, in spite of strong regional and international pressure for a deal, has dampened hopes of an agreement that could end the political crisis and revive the economy.
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