# Guinea-Bissau referendum backs expansion of presidential powers

https://mins.news/en/item/40940

- Al Jazeera, 2026-09-01 19:59 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/1/guinea-bissau-referendum-nods-to-expansion-of-presidential-powers?traffic_source=rss

> Guinea-Bissau’s National Electoral Commission says nearly 60 percent of eligible voters took part in last week’s referendum and 70 percent backed a new constitution. The changes give the president power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, create or abolish ministries, and dissolve parliament under certain conditions. The military government says the reform will stabilise institutions, while PAIGC and civil society groups condemn it as a threat to the return to democracy and had urged a boycott.

## Related coverage

- [Guinea-Bissau referendum tests democratic future](https://mins.news/en/item/42122) — DW, 2026-09-02
- [Guinea-Bissau referendum approves constitution expanding presidential powers](https://mins.news/en/item/41639) — BBC News, 2026-09-02
- [Guinea-Bissau votes on referendum to rewrite constitution and expand presidential powers](https://mins.news/en/video/37835) — euronews, 2026-08-30
