Government structure and administration in Ethiopia

Politics of Ethiopia, officaially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, take place in a framework of a federal parliamentary republic, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. The Prime Minister is chosen by the parliament. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, which are governed under the Constitution of 1994. A bicameral parliament is made of the 108-seat House of Federation and the 547-seat House of Peoples Representatives. The House of Federation has members chosen by the State Assemblies to serve a five year term. The House of People's Representatives is elected by direct election and in turn elects the president for a six year term. Many opposition parties are represented and hold many positions in the Ethiopia Parliament. However, most positions are held by representatives from the Oromia state, while the Amhara State holds the second most positions, in correlation with the population order of the corresponding states. There are two self-governing administrations, the country's capital Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. The Prime Minister is designated by the party in power following legislative elections. The Council of Ministers, according to the1995 Constitution, comprises the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, various Ministers and other members as determined and approved by the House of People's Representatives.

The Judiciary is more or less independent of the executive power and the legislature. The president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the Prime Minister submits candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council to the House of People's Representatives for appointment.

The regime’s crackdown on opposition activities and civil society made Ethiopia de facto a one-party state termed as an “authoritarian regime”.

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