Cape Verde Elections: Campaign Spirit Met with Pleas for Aid
Amidst the rhythmic pulse of campaign music and a sea of waving flags on Santiago Island, Cape Verde’s legislative election trail took a poignant turn on Tuesday. What began as a high-energy rally for the Movement for Democracy (MpD) quickly transformed into a direct window into the daily struggles of the nation’s citizens.
A Request for Rice Amidst the Celebration
In the municipality of São Domingos, the festive atmosphere was momentarily punctured by a stark reality. As MpD President and current Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva led a march through the streets, an elderly woman stepped forward to interrupt the procession. Her request was simple but urgent: “I need at least a thousand escudos (about nine euros) to buy rice to take home.”
The 63-year-old party leader, seeking a third term in office, took her hands and assured her that the government would continue its work to support the vulnerable, reinforcing his commitment ahead of the May 17 vote. It was just one of many direct appeals the Prime Minister faced throughout the day.
Voters Demand Better Healthcare and Housing
While the streets echoed with slogans like “Long live Ulisses” and the MpD’s campaign anthem, “Cape Verde Forward,” the crowd’s enthusiasm was balanced by a list of grievances. Along the route, supporters in red shirts shared personal stories of hardship.
A man in a wheelchair spoke to Correia e Silva about the mounting difficulties in the healthcare sector. “I hope for better conditions to treat my health,” he said, though he maintained his loyalty to the party. Others invited the leader into their homes to witness firsthand the crumbling infrastructure in their neighborhoods, while groups of young people voiced frustrations over urban decay.
The Race to May 17
Despite the challenges voiced by the public, Correia e Silva expressed “total confidence” in his electoral prospects. Speaking to journalists after a noisy caravan journey to the coastal town of Praia Baixo, he gave a positive assessment of the campaign’s first week. “Cape Verde is proving itself to be a mature democracy,” he said. “I am convinced the people will decide in favor of the MpD.”
The Prime Minister faces a stiff challenge from Francisco Carvalho, the current Mayor of Praia and leader of the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV). The two parties have dominated the nation’s political landscape since 1991.
The Current Political Landscape
- MpD (Movement for Democracy): 38 seats in the National Assembly.
- PAICV (African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde): 30 seats.
- UCID (Independent and Democratic Cape Verdean Union): 4 seats.
- Smaller Parties: The People’s Party (PP) and the People, Labor and Solidarity Party (PTS) are also competing in several districts but currently hold no parliamentary representation.
The campaign will continue across the archipelago until May 15, with candidates pivoting between grand political promises and the humble, domestic needs of a population seeking basic security.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
