The Imperial Parliament of Ethiopia () was the bicameral legislature of the Ethiopian Empire from 1931 to 1974. It consisted of the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, and the upper house, Senate. The legislature was established in the 1931 Constitution, all members appointed, primarily by the Emperor of Ethiopia. The 1955 Constitution introduced elections to the lower chamber. The Ethiopian Parliament Building was the meeting place of the imperial parliament. The last elections took place in 1973. The legislature was abolished by the Derg.
Senate The Senate, Yaheg Mawossegna Meker-bet (የሕግ መወሰኛ ምክር ቤት), was established in 1931. Initially, its members were appointed, and they came from the nobility, the aristocracy, cabinet ministers, and civil servants. The chamber was reformed in the 1955 constitution so that the members were appointed by aristocrats. In 1974, there were 125 members in the chamber.
Senate Presidents
Name Took office Left office NotesBidwoded Wolde Tsadeq Goshu19311936Kentiba Gebru Desta1941?Negash Bezabeh19421943Blattengeta Lorenzo Taezaz19431944Tsahafe Taezaz Wolde Maskal19441945Mangasha Jambare19451946Ras Bidwoded Makonnen Endelkachew19571961Ras Asrate Kassa19611964Lt-Gen. Abey Abeba19641974
Chamber of Deputies The Chamber of Deputies, Yaheg Mamria Meker-beth, was established in 1931. Initially, the members were chosen by the Emperor of Ethiopia, the nobility and the aristocrats. The chamber was reformed by the 1955 constitution, and members were to be elected. In 1974, there were 250 members in the chamber.
Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies
Name Took office Left office NotesBlattengeta Belatcho Yadete19431945-?Grazmatch Gebre Kristos Wolde Michael?-19531953-?Lij Haile Mariam Kebede19551957Wossen Hailu19571960Girma Wolde-Giorgis19611965Fitawrari Bayissa Jemmo?-19661967Ato Tadesse Taye19671969-?Ato Seife Taddese19701974Ato Abebe Wendimeneh19741974
See also List of legislatures by country
References