Libya Satire: A Beginner's Guide to Democacy...and Slapstick (Karl reMarks)
Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 7:25
"The Libya Shield Force functions as a regular army, but only on weekends" (Photo: AP)
The General National Congress is an elected chamber, much like any other parliament in the world outside North Korea and parts of the Gulf. However the GNC’s procedures were designed to give a voice for those who lost in the elections but still have lots of weapons. A simple majority is used to determine the outcome of legislative votes, but this could be invalidated should 15 or more armed men burst into the chamber screaming and waving their machineguns in the air. At this point, the chairman must recognise the motion and moves to delay the vote and must rush out saying “I’m sorry I have to leave, I’m invited to dinner.” (But using more than 25 men is considered bad form according to convention.)