| ID | 108270 |
| Title Proper | Power-sharing as a fragile safety valve in times of electoral turmoil |
| Other Title Information | the costs and benefits of Burundi's 2010 elections |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Vandeginste, Stef |
| Publication | 2011. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This paper analyses the local, presidential and legislative elections that took place in Burundi between May and September 2010. Electoral results are presented, analysed and interpreted against the background of Burundi's constitutional consociational power-sharing regime. The power-sharing arrangement, which was negotiated during Burundi's recently completed peace process, saved the pluralistic nature of the elections but may itself fall victim to the outcome of these same elections, with the dominant party CNDD-FDD obtaining an overwhelming majority in parliament and controlling most of the instruments needed to further establish its hegemony. Political pluralism, both within and outside the institutions, is under threat. As evidenced by developments in the early aftermath of the electoral marathon, conjunctural alliances between opposition groups and the incumbent regime's increasingly authoritarian response to dissidence may well result in renewed instability and insecurity. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of Modern African Studies Vol. 49, No. 2; Jun 2011: p315-335 |
| Journal Source | Journal of Modern African Studies Vol. 49, No. 2; Jun 2011: p315-335 |
| Key Words | Fragile Safety ; Electoral Turmoil ; Election ; Burundi Election |