Ethiopia - Executive Branch

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The executive branch of the Ethiopian government is made up of the office of the President, the office of the Prime Minister, and the council of ministers.

The President

The president of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is the head of state. The president is elected by a two-thirds majority vote of a joint session of the House of People's Representatives and the House of Federation. The term of duty is six years, and the president shall not be elected more than two terms. The election was last held in October of 2001 - next to be held in 2007. The current president of Ethiopia is Ato Girma Wolde-Giorgis.

The Prime Minister

The highest executive powers of the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia are vested in the prime minister and the council of ministers. The prime minister is the chief executive, the chairman of the council of ministers, and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The prime minister is elected from among the members of the House of People's Representatives, and the power of government shall be assumed by the political party, or a coalition of political parties, that constitutes a majority in the House of People's Representatives. There are no term limits on the office of the prime minister. The current prime minister of Ethiopia is Ato Meles Zenawi.

The Council of Ministers

The council of ministers of the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia support the prime minister in fulfilling the duties of the executive branch of government in their respective fields. The council ministers are appointed by the prime minister. The current council ministers are as follows:

Ato Tefera Walwa, Minister - Coordination of Capacity Building

Ato Girma Biru, Minister of Trade & Industry

Ato Addisu Legesse, Minister of Rural Development

Dr. Kasu Yelala, Minister of Infrastructure Development

Ato Sofian Ahmed, Minister of Finance & Economic Development

Ato Abay Tsehaye, Minister of Federal Affairs

Dr. Mulatu Teshome, Minister of Agriculture

W/O Genet Zewdie, Minister of Education

Dr. Kebede Tadesse, Minister of Health

Ato Herka Haroye, Minister of Justice

Ato Getachew Belay, Minister of Revenue

Ato Abadula Gemeda, Minister of Defense