The recent report published by the Centre for Research in Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL) highlights worrying irregularities in the budget forecasts of the National Assembly and the Senate for the year 2025. These revelations raise crucial questions about transparency and the management of public resources within the parliamentary institutions of the Republic.
The analysis first reveals an overestimation of the number of deputies planned within the National Assembly, with 513 deputies budgeted instead of the 500 provided for by law. This error generates additional expenses of around 1.5 million dollars per year, which is not only in contradiction with the legislation in force, but also constitutes a waste of public funds.
In addition, the bloated composition of the offices of the office of the National Assembly is singled out, with a workforce of 2,756 employees well above the limits set by the internal regulations. This overabundance of political staff will lead to exorbitant and unjustified expenses, jeopardizing the budgetary balance of the institution.
The CREFDL also highlights the opacity surrounding the National Assembly’s special intervention fund, fueling suspicions about the management of these resources. Despite a slight decrease in the credits allocated to the parliamentary institution, this decrease is marred by irregularities and gaps in the budget forecast.
On the Senate side, the situation is hardly more rosy, with the new office planning to hire 681 additional employees, in violation of the internal regulations. This increase in staff and the increase in the special intervention fund raise questions about the efficient management of resources within the upper house of Parliament.
Faced with these alarming findings, the CREFDL calls on the government to initiate rigorous monitoring of the number of political staff within the offices of the two parliamentary chambers. Similarly, a clarification of budget lines, particularly concerning the special intervention fund, and compliance of staff with the standards established by the internal regulations are essential to ensure transparent and responsible management of public funds.
In conclusion, these revelations highlight the urgent need for a thorough reform of the budgetary system of parliamentary institutions in the Republic. Transparency, rigor and accountability must be the watchwords of the management of public resources, in order to guarantee an adequate use of funds and to strengthen citizens’ trust in their representatives.