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President Ali Bongo Ondimba's Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) retained the majority in the 143-member National Assembly (see note). The Democrats (LD), led by former Speaker Guy Nzouba-Ndama, became the largest opposition force in the National Assembly, taking 11 seats. Other opposition forces in the new National Assembly included the Heritage and Modernity Rally (RH&M, led by former minister Barro Chambrier) and the National Union (UN), led by Mr. Zacharie Myboto, former general secretary of the PDG. The RH&M claimed there was massive fraud. Shortly before the second round, the President was hospitalized in Saudi Arabia. The 2018 elections were the first since the 2016 presidential elections in which Mr. Bongo narrowly defeated the former head of African Union, Mr. Jean Ping. The announcement of the presidential election results triggered violent protests and clashes with riot police. The mandate of the previous National Assembly (elected in December 2011) was due to expire on 27 February 2017. However, elections were postponed twice and consequently the parliamentary mandate was extended. On 11 January 2018, a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the Senate adopted constitutional amendments that would allow President Ali Bongo to remain in power indefinitely. On 21 February 2018, the government announced the elections to the National Assembly would be held on 28 April. However, elections were not held on that date due in part to disagreement over the composition of the Gabonese Center of Elections, in charge of organizing the poll. On 30 April, a decision of the Constitutional Court terminated the powers of the current National Assembly. Consequently, the Senate assumed full legislative power until the proclamation of the results of the 2018 elections to the National Assembly. Note: The statutory number of members of the National Assembly has increased from 120 to 143 in accordance with a decree issued by the Government in January 2018, following the adoption of the constitutional amendments. The statutory number of members of the Senate will be reduced from 102 to 52, as of the next renewal expected in 2020.