National Assembly (Seychelles)


The unicameral National Assembly is the Seychelles's legislative body.
The National Assembly in its current constellation formed following elections held on 25–27 September 2025, with a total of 34 members. The current Speaker of the National Assembly is Azarel Ernesta, in office since 28 October 2025.
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Background

The current National Assembly was preceded by the Legislative Council of Seychelles from 1962 to 1970, the Legislative Assembly from 1970 to 1974, the House of Assembly from 1975 to 1976, the National Assembly 1976 to 1977 and the People's Assembly from 1979 to 1993.
26 members are elected in single member constituencies using the simple majority system. The remaining up to nine members are elected through a system of proportional representation. Members serve five-year terms.
The working language of the National Assembly is Seychellois Creole. With permission from the speaker, members may address the assembly in English or French. Visitors may address the assembly in other languages with the speaker's permission.

List of speakers

PositionNameTook officeLeft officeNotes
Legislative Council of SeychellesJulian Asquith, 2nd Earl of Oxford and AsquithJanuary 1962February 1967Also colonial governors
Legislative Council of SeychellesHugh Norman-WalkerFebruary 1967January 1969Also colonial governors
Legislative Council of SeychellesBruce GreatbatchJanuary 1969November 1970Also colonial governors
Speaker of the Legislative AssemblyMichel Lousteau-Lalanne19701974
Speaker of the House of AssemblyMichel Lousteau-Lalanne19751976
Speaker of the National AssemblyMichel Lousteau-Lalanne1976June 1977
In abeyanceJune 19771979
Chairman of the People's AssemblyDavid Thomas19791979
Chairman of the People's AssemblyJohn Renaud19791983
Chairman of the People's AssemblyJohn Mascarenhas1983December 1987
Chairman of the People's AssemblyFrancis MacGregorDecember 19871993

Speakers and deputy speakers of the National Assembly of Seychelles since the 1993 multiparty elections:
LegislatureSpeakerDeputyEntered officeLeft office
First National AssemblyFrancis MacGregorShelton Jolicoeur30 July 19931998
Second National AssemblyFrancis MacGregorShelton Jolicoeur30 March 19982002
Third National AssemblyFrancis MacGregorShelton Jolicoeur
Dick Esparon		17 December 20022007
Fourth National AssemblyPatrick HerminieWilby Lucas29 May 20072011
Fifth National AssemblyPatrick HerminieAndre Pool2011September 2016
Sixth National AssemblyPatrick PillayNicholas Prea27 September 201629 January 2018
Sixth National AssemblyNicholas PreaAhmed Afif6 March 201828 October 2020
Seventh National AssemblyRoger MancienneGervais Henrie28 October 202028 October 2025
Eighth National AssemblyAzarel ErnestaEgbert Aglae28 October 2025present

Parliamentary leaders

The members serving as Leader of Government Business since 1993:
LegislatureMemberPartyEntered officeLeft office
First National AssemblyDanny FaureSeychelles People's Progressive Front30 July 19931998
Second National AssemblyPatrick HerminieSeychelles People's Progressive Front30 March 19982002
Third National AssemblyPatrick HerminieSeychelles People's Progressive Front17 December 20022007
Fourth National AssemblyMarie-Louise PotterSeychelles People's Progressive Front29 May 20072011
Fifth National AssemblyMarie-Louise PotterPeople's Party2011March 2012
Fifth National AssemblyMarie-Antoinette RosePeople's PartyMarch 2012May 2016
Fifth National AssemblyCharles DeCommarmondPeople's Party7 June 2016September 2016
Sixth National AssemblyCharles DeCommarmondUnited Seychelles27 September 201628 October 2020
Seventh National AssemblyBernard GeorgesLinyon Demokratik Seselwa28 October 202028 October 2025
Eight National AssemblySylvanne LemielUnited Seychelles28 October 2025present

Additionally, opposition has been organized with an elected Leader of the Opposition since 1993.