In the political turmoil of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a new controversy is stirring the National Assembly. While the 2025 budget project is currently being examined, a surprising decision has attracted everyone’s attention: the increase in the number of national deputies to 513, thus exceeding the quota provided for by the Constitution which was 500. This decision, justified by the bureau of the Lower House by the need to reinstate deputies previously invalidated by the Constitutional Court, has sparked a wave of reactions within the political class and civil society.
The Center for Research in Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL) has spoken out against this new measure, denouncing a violation of the law and budgetary allocations that it considers exaggerated. In particular, the center points the finger at the credits allocated to the special intervention fund managed by the two bureaus of Parliament. With a total budget of $246 million, including $181 million for the National Assembly and $65.1 million for the Senate, the CREFDL believes that these amounts are disproportionate and highlight a lack of transparency in the management of public finances.
This decision to increase the number of deputies to 513 has also raised questions about its impact on the governance and democratic representativeness of the National Assembly. While some see this measure as a desire to reinstate legitimate elected officials, others fear a dilution of responsibilities and a weakening of the parliamentary institution.
This controversy once again reveals the tensions and specific issues related to politics in the DRC. Between legal imperatives, political pressures and debates on the management of public resources, the National Assembly finds itself at the heart of a storm that questions the very foundations of Congolese democracy.
In this turbulent context, it is crucial to remain vigilant and continue the democratic debate around these crucial issues for the future of the nation. Citizens, civil society and political actors must remain mobilized to ensure the transparency, efficiency and legitimacy of state institutions, in order to work together for a better future for all Congolese.