Is it selling out or seeing sense

Zimbabwe's main opposition party has backed an amendment to the constitution that could effectively let Robert Mugabe, the president, decide on his successor.The compromise between the ruling Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) allows parliament to elect a new president if the incumbent does not serve a full term. Nelson Chamisa, a spokesman for the MDC faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai, said the decision not to launch a token fight against the amendment was taken as a gesture of goodwill. Patrick Chinamasa, the justice minister, said the compromise stemmed from ongoing talks between Zanu-PF and the MDC. Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's president, has been mediating the talks which were called for by the Southern African Development Community after violent crackdowns on the opposition in March. Powers limitedThe MDC had originally been pushing for an entirely new constitution that would guarantee basic freedoms and free elections, but relented when the president's powers to appoint members of parliament were curbed. MDC was pressing for the repeal of tough media and security laws that give police wider powers to open mail and monitor the internet. The amendment also combines presidential and parliamentary elections for the first time in 2008, effectively reducing Mugabe's current term from six to five years, equivalent to the life of the Harare parliament. The 83-year-old leader has said he will seek another term as president next year. The the question is then why did these two parties wait so long until inflation is over 100 000% and unbearable living conditions for the populace? Are the people represented by these two or they are just selfishly chasing the corridors of power? Do people feel btrayed both ways and what is the way forward?