Cape Verde’s People’s Party Challenges Political Duopoly
Amidst the smell of open sewers and the smoke of street-side grills, candidates from Cape Verde’s People’s Party (PP) marched through the capital of Praia this week, pleading with voters to break the decades-long stranglehold of the nation’s two dominant parties.
In their third attempt to secure a seat in parliament, PP members navigated the narrow, dust-filled streets of the Achada Grande Frente neighborhood. Their message to residents was simple: “Give us the strength to give you a voice.”
A Call for Change Amidst Urban Decay
For many residents of the capital, the campaign visit was an opportunity to vent frustrations over deteriorating living conditions. “Many things need to change,” said vendor Maria Mendes as she worked outside a local health center. “Houses are falling down, and people are living without bathrooms. We see elderly people abandoned. We’ve had enough of voting for the same faces.”
The neighborhood’s struggles were visible at every turn—unfinished concrete homes, unpaved roads, and stagnant sewage that residents say has been ignored for over six years. Safety is another growing concern; local Susana Oliveira noted that the area becomes a “no-go zone” after 7:00 PM due to rising violence, calling urgently for a local police station.
Breaking the “MpD-PAICV” Cycle
Since 1991, Cape Verdean politics has been dominated by the Movement for Democracy (MpD) and the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV). While the two giants battle for the majority, the PP is positioning itself as the necessary third perspective.
“People only think about MpD and PAICV,” said Vagner Mendes, a young construction worker who threw his support behind the PP. “We need to give others a chance. If the youth have a foundation in education and health, everything else—including security—improves.”
PP President Amândio Vicente spent the day reinforcing this need for new blood in the National Assembly. When challenged by a disillusioned young voter who claimed politicians only appear during election season, Vicente was blunt: “We are out of power; we cannot solve these problems yet. That is exactly why you need to vote for us.”
A Platform of Social Justice
The People’s Party is running on a platform centered on state intervention and social justice. Their key proposals include:
- Economic Reform: Creating a state-owned maritime transport company to better connect the archipelago.
- Employment: Industrializing the maritime sector to tackle chronic youth unemployment.
- Social Safety Nets: Increasing social pensions and facilitating easier access to affordable housing.
- Public Health: Significant investment to overhaul the national health system.
Legalized in 2015, the PP is contesting six of the 13 electoral districts in the upcoming Sunday legislative elections. As the campaign reaches its fever pitch, Vicente remains confident that the population’s weariness with the status quo will finally translate into a seat at the table. “We deserve the vote to do serious work in parliament and respond to what the people actually need,” he said.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
