Senate of Gabon

The Senate (Sénat) is the upper house of the Parliament of Gabon. It has 102 members, elected for a six-year term in single-seat constituencies by local and départemental councillors. Beginning with the 2009 election, some constituencies elect two senators.

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The 1991 Constitution provided for the establishment of the Senate; previously the legislature had consisted of a unicameral National Assembly. The Senate was not created until 1997, when an election was held to fill the seats in the upper house.[1]

The first Senate president was Georges Rawiri (1932-2006), a long-time national political figure and close ally of Omar Bongo. He served in this position until his death in 2006.

He was replaced by René Radembino Coniquet, also a member of the Myéné ethnic group.

A Senate election was held on 18 January 2009. The ruling Gabonese Democratic Party won a large majority of seats.[2] On this occasion, the number of senators was increased from 91 to 102. Following the election, Rose Francine Rogombé was elected as President of the Senate.

Elections
Party Seats
1997 2003 2009 2014
Gabonese Democratic Party52677581
National Woodcutters' Rally – Rally for Gabon19860
Gabonese Progress Party4100
Democratic and Republican Alliance3311
Social Democratic Party0122
People's Unity Party10––
Union of the Gabonese People1121
Gabon of the Future–100
Common Movement for Development1–––
Circle of Liberal Reformers1427
Rally for Democracy and Progress11––
Independent Centre Party of Gabon0121
Gabonese Union for Democracy and Development––3–
Independents8397
Total9191102100
Source: DSG (1997, 2002), IPU (2009), IPU (2014)
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See also
  • List of Presidents of the Senate of Gabon

References
  1. David E. Gardinier and Douglas A. Yates, Historical Dictionary of Gabon (third edition, 2006), Scarecrow Press, page 65.
  2. "Gabon: Elections sénatoriales 2009: le PDG en tête des résultats", Gabonews, 19 January 2009 (in French).


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