Jonathan Fonati Koffa, a member of the outgoing President George Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) party, has been elected as the speaker of Liberia’s lower parliamentary chamber, securing victory over Richard Nagbe Koon from Joseph Boakai’s United Party (UP) with a vote of 36 to 31.
Despite the CDC winning the majority of parliamentary seats in October’s election, this outcome emphasizes the need for collaboration between the incoming government and opposition lawmakers to pass legislation. The CDC’s influence in parliament was further underscored as its candidate, Thomas P. Fallah, triumphed in the deputy speaker race against a UP ally. Joseph Boakai is set to be inaugurated as president next Monday.
