Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD) was sworn in as Tigray Regional State's president after he was unanimously elected by the newly constituted northern regional council, which is increasingly at odds with the federal government. Debretsion has been serving as a vice president of the Regional State for not having a legislative position until he secured a seat in the regional council during the recent regional elections, dismissed by federal authorities as “null and void." The chairperson of the ruling Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), Debretsion was appointed as vice president in January 2018, four months ahead of Abiy Ahmed (PhD) being elected as Prime Minister. During the latest elections held earlier this month, Debretsion ran for election for the constituency of the town of Adwa, a few kilometres from the border with Eritrea. The regional council has also legislated a bill that paves a way for opposition parties to have a non-voting presence in the regional council. The opposition is offered the opportunity to propose agendas and bills; present motions; and make policy suggestions, as well as nominate appointees.