Opposes ethnic-based federalism, advocating instead for a system based on citizenship and individual rights rather than group rights.
3 cited moments
“Advocates for a federal system based on citizen politics rather than ethnic identity.”
Federalism, Ethnic Identity and National Unity Debate
“Politics should be based on citizenship, not ethnicity, as ethnic politics leads to fragmentation.”
Federalism, Ethnic Identity and National Unity Debate
“Cultural and linguistic rights will be protected through individual citizenship rights rather than group rights.”
Language and Cultural Policy Debate
Federalism and the Constitution
Plans to restructure regions based on geography, administrative convenience, resource distribution, and national consensus, rather than solely on language or ethnicity.
3 cited moments
“Will reorganize regions based on geography, language, resource distribution, and national consensus.”
Federalism, Ethnic Identity and National Unity Debate
“Will establish an independent expert team to study and propose regional restructuring based on geography, settlement, administrative convenience, and resource distribution.”
Federalism and the Constitution Debate
“Regions will be restructured based on geography, administrative convenience, economic ties, and public consent, rather than solely on language.”
Language and Cultural Policy Debate
Federalism and the Constitution
Proposes amending the constitution to remove the right to secession (Article 39) and changing the preamble to 'We, the people of Ethiopia'.
3 cited moments
“Will remove the right to secession (Article 39).”
Federalism, Ethnic Identity and National Unity Debate
“The phrase should be changed to 'We, the people of Ethiopia'.”
Federalism and the Constitution Debate
“No country starts its formation by including a clause for secession; it encourages disintegration.”
Federalism and the Constitution Debate
Federalism and the Constitution
Advocates for transitioning from a parliamentary system to a presidential system to elect a unifying leader.
2 cited moments
“Ethiopia needs a unifying figure elected by the entire population.”
Federalism and the Constitution Debate
“In the current system, the Prime Minister is elected by only one constituency but leads millions.”
Federalism and the Constitution Debate
Federalism and the Constitution
Supports establishing an independent Constitutional Court to interpret the constitution, removing this power from the House of Federation.
2 cited moments
“Will establish an independent Constitutional Court.”
Federalism, Ethnic Identity and National Unity Debate
“Argues that politicians should not interpret the law; it requires independent legal experts.”
Federalism, Ethnic Identity and National Unity Debate
Economic Policy
Rejects strict economic ideologies (like socialism or neoliberalism) and evaluates policies based on whether they achieve social justice.
2 cited moments
“Does not adhere to a strict ideology; the guiding principle is achieving social justice.”
Economic Policy Alternatives of Political Parties Debate
“EZEMA refuses to be a prisoner of any specific ideology (like socialism or liberalism) and will adopt any policy that benefits the country.”
Economic Policy Debate
Economic Policy
Believes job creation is primarily the role of the private sector and aims to improve the ease of doing business and reform the tax system.
3 cited moments
“Job creation is not solely the government's role; the private sector will be encouraged to create businesses and jobs.”
Economic Policy Alternatives of Political Parties Debate
“Will reform the tax system to respect taxpayers and reduce tax rates for employees and the private sector.”
Economic Policy Alternatives of Political Parties Debate
“Will implement a respectful tax collection system where taxpayers are treated with dignity, rather than just changing tax rates.”
Economic Policy Debate
Economic Policy
Advocates for the independence of macroeconomic institutions, particularly the National Bank, to prevent politically motivated money printing and control inflation.
2 cited moments
“The National Bank will be led by professionals based on merit, free from party affiliation.”
Economic Policy Alternatives of Political Parties Debate
“Plans to control inflation by strictly regulating the printing of money by the central bank.”
Economic Policy Alternatives of Political Parties Debate
Economic Policy
Supports government intervention to correct market failures, ensure social justice, and protect low-income citizens, while avoiding direct competition with citizens in services or manufacturing.
3 cited moments
“The government will actively intervene to correct market failures and ensure social justice.”
Economic Policy Alternatives of Political Parties Debate
“The government will not compete with citizens in providing services or manufacturing.”
Economic Policy Alternatives of Political Parties Debate
“While not opposing free market principles, EZEMA will implement interventions to reduce the disproportionate cost-of-living burden on low-income citizens.”
Economic Policy Debate
Economic Policy
Plans to transition the workforce from agriculture to manufacturing, agro-processing, tourism, and services.
1 cited moment
“Will transition the workforce from agriculture to manufacturing (textiles, leather) and agro-processing.”
Economic Policy Debate
Economic Policy
Aims to break the monopoly of the US Dollar in foreign trade by using alternative mechanisms with neighboring countries and major partners like China and India.
1 cited moment
“Will conduct trade with neighboring countries and major partners like China and India using alternative mechanisms to break the monopoly of the Dollar.”
Economic Policy Debate
Agriculture and Land Policy
Advocates for land privatization, allowing farmers to own, sell, and exchange their land, moving away from the state monopoly on land ownership.
3 cited moments
“Land ownership should be categorized into private, communal, and state.”
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Debate
“Farmers will have the right to sell and exchange their private land.”
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Debate
“EZEMA's land policy (privatization) clearly differentiates it from the ruling party.”
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Debate
Agriculture and Land Policy
Plans to consolidate fragmented land into large-scale mechanized farms to increase productivity and achieve food sovereignty.
2 cited moments
“Plans to consolidate land to create large-scale farms.”
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Debate
“Advocates for large-scale mechanized farming instead of the current fragmented plot system.”
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Debate
Agriculture and Land Policy
Pledges to achieve self-sufficiency in fertilizer production within five years using domestic resources and organic fertilizers.
2 cited moments
“Will achieve self-sufficiency in fertilizer production within five years.”
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Debate
“Will promote the production and use of organic fertilizers (bio-fertilizers, compost, biogas byproducts) using domestic resources.”
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Debate
Foreign Affairs and National Security
Aims to reclaim access to the port of Assab through negotiation, revising international laws, and offering options like land swaps or institutional shares.
1 cited moment
“Assab is Ethiopian property taken unjustly, and EZEMA will try to reclaim it through negotiation, revising international laws, and offering options like land swaps or institutional shares.”
Foreign Affairs and National Security Debate
Foreign Affairs and National Security
Open to recognizing Somaliland if it benefits Ethiopia's national interests.
1 cited moment
“EZEMA is ready to take bold steps, including recognizing Somaliland, if it benefits Ethiopia's national interest, considering the volatile nature of the Horn of Africa.”
Foreign Affairs and National Security Debate
Foreign Affairs and National Security
Views the Red Sea and the Nile as existential issues and considers Egypt's actions to prevent Ethiopia from using the Nile as hostile.
2 cited moments
“The Red Sea and Nile are existential issues, and EZEMA will cooperate with any Ethiopian entity, including PP, that works to secure these national interests.”
Foreign Affairs and National Security Debate
“Based on Egypt's constant efforts to prevent Ethiopia from using the Nile, EZEMA concludes they are acting as an enemy, though enmity isn't eternal.”
Foreign Affairs and National Security Debate
Education Policy
Supports directing students who do not pass university entrance exams to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skill-based programs.
2 cited moments
“The remaining 70% will be directed to TVET and skill-based programs, as the country needs skilled technicians.”
Education Policy Debate
“Students who do not go to university will be directed to TVET and skill-based programs, which are also essential for building the country.”
Education Policy Debate
Education Policy
Advocates for true academic freedom and a secular environment in universities, with leadership chosen based on merit rather than ethnicity.
2 cited moments
“We will ensure true academic freedom and a secular environment in universities, free from political interference.”
Education Policy Debate
“University presidents will be chosen based on merit and knowledge, not ethnicity.”
Education Policy Debate
Language and Cultural Policy
Advocates for adding more federal working languages alongside Amharic, based on study and public consensus, and implementing multilingualism at federal and regional levels.
3 cited moments
“Amharic is the working language, but advocates for more than one federal working language.”
Federalism, Ethnic Identity and National Unity Debate
“Will address ethnic rights by implementing multilingualism at federal and regional levels, unlike the current system which enforces monolingualism in diverse regions.”
Federalism and the Constitution Debate
“We will add other languages as federal working languages alongside Amharic.”
