Ethiopia’s Two Houses’ Inaugural Joint Session Underway

Addis Ababa, October 6, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives and House of Federation are convening their inaugural joint session for the first year of the seventh parliamentary term, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and elected members of the two Houses in attendance.

President Taye Atske-Selassie has officially opened the joint session, bringing together the two Houses at the start of the new parliamentary year.

The session follows the opening of the respective Houses and election of their leadership yesterday.

On October 5, the House of Peoples’ Representatives elected Ahmed Shide as Speaker and Ayelech Eshete as Deputy Speaker, while the House of Federation elected Muferihat Kamil as Speaker and Desta Ledamo as Deputy Speaker.

The House of Peoples’ Representatives also re-elected Abiy Ahmed as Prime Minister for a second five-year term. He took the constitutional oath of office during yesterday’s inaugural proceedings.

Today’s joint session brings the two Houses together as the seventh Parliament begins its mandate following the June 1, 2026 general election.

President Taye Atske-Selassie is addressing the joint session, outlining key national priorities at the opening of the new parliamentary year.