Whoever felt that the new Parliament was going to be dull at the announcement of the May 2010 election results in which the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) won almost all the seats in the Parliament in a landslide victory, was clearly proven wrong, at least for the first week.

Indeed, it was one filled with events that changed the political dialogue in the capital from focusing solely on the draft Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) of the government, which lingered in the background.

The appointment of the ministerial positions for the different executive organs of the government was eagerly awaited, if not to see how the EPRDF’s succession plan would be implemented or who would be tasked with the implementation of the GTP, just to satisfy one’s passing curiosity.

The Parliament appointed 19 people to 20 ministerial positions with Hailemariam Desalegn, who was recently appointed deputy chairman of the EPRDF, appointed to both the positions of deputy prime minister of the country and minister of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). His appointment to the most senior executive power in the country, next to that of the Prime Minister, left many questioning his ability to operate in foreign policy.

Despite questions and chagrins being voiced, the “GTP team” has been formed. It is up to this team and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to see that the GTP, which aims to set the growth direction and pace of the country, is seen through. From the look of it, EPRDFites seem to have come prepared for a new beginning.

The pardon of Birtukan Midekssa, whose imprisonment has been a bone of contention both in the international arena and at home, just a day after the formation of the new government, seems to indicate a fresh start.

The invitation of opposition parties to discuss the GTP the next day with nine showing up for the discussion looked like another indication of the government’s intention to start the year afresh with all sides appeased. Even if it has been months since the Prime Minister’s promise to include the opposition in major political decisions, it is better to have the meeting than not.

Ironically, the meeting with the opposition, which once would have been heaven-sent for the propaganda machine of the EPRDF, only received  passing notice.

Yet, despite what looks like an attempt by the EPRDFites to start the new year and the new government in the spirit of forgiveness and cooperation, there are some curious details.

Meles had repeatedly referred to Birtukan’s denial of the pardon she had received, which saw her put back in prison, as being overconfident in strong support from “foreign forces” that would not see her sent back. Strangely, the language used in the letter she wrote to Meles and which led to her second pardon, was very similar to his rhetoric on the subject of her imprisonment.

The sudden and strange cancelation of the press conference that was scheduled by the members of the elders committee followed. Despite the time having been set and the venue prepared, it was cancelled at the last minute. For the inquisitive observer, these and the sudden unavailability of members of the elders committee are strange.

Despite irregularities regarding the circumstances of Birtukan’s release, the EPRDF can now be rid of the one question that always comes up. “The matter is between the lady and the law,” Meles had said in response to questions about her during her imprisonment.

Support for her release has been flooding in from the diplomatic community who is applauding her release “according to the law.” It seems as though the EPRDFites are rid of the issue for now.

The only thing left for Meles and his team is to go forward in implementing the GTP and the plans it envisions for the country. Based on a larger dream for the country, the GTP is a sketch which needs to be worked out in detail and implemented.

Following the selection of the “GTP team,” despite what many may feel about it, it is the one that is tasked to do just that under the leadership of Meles once it has been approved by the new house, which, despite a somewhat bumpy start, has shown some life.

Tegene Getaneh, president of the Federal Supreme Court, during the election of Abba Dula Gemeda as the speaker of the house, forgot to count “nay” and abstained votes. Perhaps, this was due to some sort of oversight or perhaps it is because, since the EPRDF won almost all the seats in the house, the one opposition member was forgotten.

Despite that mishap and other minor ones, the Parliament deviated from the usual complacency seen from members of Parliament (MPs) from the EPRDF to whatever is being said as they debated and raised question in discussing the first bill. The bill, to provide for the definition and powers and duties of the executive organs tabled before Meles presented his nominees for ministerial positions, raised valid points.

However, the new Parliament is to have no sessions in the second week of its formation. MPs are to return to their constituencies to make arrangements for their move to the capital which will be their base for the next five years.

The importance of time in making the GTP come to fruition was stressed by Haile Gebrselassie during his address to the EPRDF convention in Adama. With so much work expected to be done in the next five years, time is of the essence in making the GTP a reality. It cannot be that the EPRDF still needs to work on the plan, as it had two months to properly vet it with many stakeholders.

So far, the EPRDFites have been working hard to sell the GTP to every cross section of the public. The issue of Birtukan that had hampered its credibility with the international community and her supporters at home seems to have been dealt with.

For what it is worth, it held discussions with the opposition, albeit late and with only a few, further extending the olive branch Meles waved after the elections in May.

The sooner the GTP is put into the field, the sooner its impact and drawbacks can be identified and the sooner EPRDFites, with their self touted ability to learn from their mistakes, can identify the limitations of the plan. The table has been set, the fire lit, and the cooks chosen; no matter what might be said, the die has been cast and it is time for Chef Meles and his sous-chefs to get to work.