On January 21, 2010 the Republic of Angola's Parliament approved a new constitution [PDF] that ended the popular election of the president. The new constitution replaced an interim constitution that had been in place since Angola's 1975 independence from Portugal. The new document also replaced the position of prime minister with a vice president, to be appointed by the president. Although the constitution limits a president to two five-year terms, opponents argued that it was an attempt by current President Jose Eduardo dos Santos' to expand his power. There have been allegations of political corruption and human rights violations during Santos' tenure, which began in 1979.

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Learn more about Angola and the laws governing constitutions from the JURIST news archive.

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