Who do you think is the next PM?

Adenagir said:

Let's be more realistic and pick the most probable candidate.

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I agree with Stratechew , The most safest candidate for the establishment is Workneh or Aba dula/mekonen. since its decided by the EPRDF executive branch , this three are the favorites choices - But if you ask the majority reform hungry people - the answer is Lemma megersa to lesser extent Dr. abiy. I cant see Gedu as PM so no comment.

The daily said:

I agree with Stratechew , The most safest candidate for the establishment is Workneh or Aba dula/mekonen. since its decided by the EPRDF executive branch , this three are the favorites choices - But if you ask the majority reform hungry people - the answer is Lemma megersa to lesser extent Dr. abiy. I cant see Gedu as PM so no comment.

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If I had to chose between Aba Dula and Workneh, it would definitely be Workneh because Aba Dula has been in that boring position of 'speaker of parliament' for far too long! He has probably gone mad by now!.

Lema Megersa is certainly a popular figure! With his eloquent speeches and ability to draw support from within and outside of the Oromo community, he is sort of like the Obama of Ethiopia. However, many people say that he has a 'Trump' side to him as well. Now the question is if the party is willing to take its chances with an 'Obama' or a 'Trump'.

So the most likely choice is Workneh Gebeyehu since all four EPRDF parties are likely to come into a consensus in supporting him. On the other hand, I would not be surprised if Lemma Megersa was able to pull it off either. Why? because he has recently convinced his party to recall most of the OPDO members of EPRDF central committee and replace them with his stanch supporters. Now all these people have to do is influence a few more (non-OPDO) members of the EPRDF CC and boom--you've got a Lema as PM.

It is also possible that EPRDF will select someone we did totally not expect so lets see what happens.

Lemma is the best candidate the EPRDF can field to buy sometime. Even he is not sufficient to cool nerves down if real political reform does not happen. At most, he will buy them 6 months. However, the TPLF is going to arm twist the EPRDF to pick Workneh, who is not ethnically Oromo (he is of Tigrian heritage), and will support the cause of the TPLF. The TPLF is a very paranoid organization and will not compromise to anything that will force it to relinquish power.

Skyliner123 said:

Lema Megersa is certainly a popular figure! With his eloquent speeches and ability to draw support from within and outside of the Oromo community, he is sort of like the Obama of Ethiopia. However, many people say that he has a 'Trump' side to him as well. Now the question is if the party is willing to take its chances with an 'Obama' or a 'Trump'.

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Can you elaborate on that? I don't know much about the guy, just that he's been getting more support lately from outside the Oromo community thanks to his rhetoric.

Kibret said:

Lemma is the best candidate the EPRDF can field to buy sometime. Even he is not sufficient to cool nerves down if real political reform does not happen. At most, he will buy them 6 months. However, the TPLF is going to arm twist the EPRDF to pick Workneh, who is not ethnically Oromo (he is of Tigrian heritage), and will support the cause of the TPLF. The TPLF is a very paranoid organization and will not compromise to anything that will force it to relinquish power.

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Kibret said:

Furthermore, Lemma is the one that has the personality to withstand the security chiefs who have been causing all this mess. I believe he will hold them accountable and maybe even fire them if necessary. So far I have not seen him kiss ass to nobody in the TPLF.

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This is precisely why I didn't pick him (I voted based on who I think will be chosen, rather than who should be).

TPLF (and EPRDF by extension) have always penalized those within their party who gain individual popularity. They don't allow that at all since they know it weakens them. For that reason, I think they'll shy away from choosing him, although that could buy them more time in terms of calming protests. At the same time, it could also kill them from within since he seems like a reformist.


I've heard Workeneh is not Tigray from multiple people, but I don't know if it's true or the usual rumor mill that surrounds prominent Ethiopians. They say Aba Dula is not Oromo either. Who knows.

Kibret said:

Lemma is the best candidate the EPRDF can field to buy sometime. Even he is not sufficient to cool nerves down if real political reform does not happen. At most, he will buy them 6 months. However, the TPLF is going to arm twist the EPRDF to pick Workneh, who is not ethnically Oromo (he is of Tigrian heritage), and will support the cause of the TPLF. The TPLF is a very paranoid organization and will not compromise to anything that will force it to relinquish power.

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By your analogy, Vlademir Putin is Weyane and the Queen of England is of Tigrean origin as long as you disagree with them!

ahbecede said:

Can you elaborate on that? I don't know much about the guy, just that he's been getting more support lately from outside the Oromo community thanks to his rhetoric.

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Well,

When he speaks Amharic, he seems like a nationalist that strikes the chords of Ethio-fundamentalists. For this reason, his Amharic speeches have gained him broad based support across the spectrum. Even opposition members that are usually ideologically aligned with previous governments of Ethiopia seem to like him.

When he speaks in Afan Oromo however (according to those that understand the language), he allegedly sings to the tune of hard chore OLF supporters. Often promising to implement OLF-like policies against what they call 'North Abysinnian Empire'.

Now the question is, which Lema will we get if he gets chosen?

Skyliner123 said:

Well,

When he speaks Amharic, he seems like a nationalist that strikes the chords of Ethio-fundamentalists. For this reason, his Amharic speeches have gained him broad based support across the spectrum. Even opposition members that are usually ideologically aligned with previous governments of Ethiopia seem to like him.

When he speaks in Afan Oromo however (according to those that understand the language), he allegedly sings to the tune of hard chore OLF supporters. Often promising to implement OLF-like policies against what they call 'North Abysinnian Empire'.

Now the question is, which Lema will we get if he gets chosen?

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I don't know man - according to the last OPDO meeting release , They don't no longer see the problem in Ethiopia based on problems between nation and nationalities but class based. that is huge narrative change from your everyday EPRDF and OLF propaganda .

2. most Oromo nationalists are now days ethiopianists thanks too Lemma. He is proud oromo nationalist that is preaching for the Oromos to take Ethiopia as their own rather then play the victim politics as they used too. and it worked even gained allies.

3. He is widely accepted as a genuine reformer, He is the only person in EPRDF history that has ever gotten the trust of the people ,it means he is the only candidate who can navigate Ethiopia through this crisis.

4. workenh./abadula- mekonon. will be seen as he status-que figures wont help the situation rather exacerbate things.

Skyliner123 said:

Well,

When he speaks Amharic, he seems like a nationalist that strikes the chords of Ethio-fundamentalists. For this reason, his Amharic speeches have gained him broad based support across the spectrum. Even opposition members that are usually ideologically aligned with previous governments of Ethiopia seem to like him.

When he speaks in Afan Oromo however (according to those that understand the language), he allegedly sings to the tune of hard chore OLF supporters. Often promising to implement OLF-like policies against what they call 'North Abysinnian Empire'.

Now the question is, which Lema will we get if he gets chosen?

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Hmm.....that's certainly worrying if true.

Ultimately, I would like Lemma Megersa to be next PM as I believe he is the only strong person in the EPRDF that has somewhat of an independent thought process and can ultimately lead reforms in a civil and transparent way.

However, I voted for Workeneh because I believe he's 2nd best and somewhat of a middle ground between Lemma and the rest of the party. I also believe he is more realistic to lead the nation due to his experience in the Federal government.