PAICV Wins Cape Verde Election as Ruling Party Concedes
Jubilant celebrations erupted outside the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) headquarters in Praia late Sunday night as the ruling Movement for Democracy (MpD) conceded defeat in a tightly contested national election.
A Narrow Margin and a Change in Power
The atmosphere in the capital shifted at approximately 10:30 PM local time when the MpD, which has held a parliamentary majority since 2016, officially acknowledged it had fallen short. Hundreds of PAICV supporters flooded the streets, waving flags and sounding car horns as early returns indicated a return to power for the party after a decade in opposition.
As of 11:15 PM on Sunday, official data from 97% of polling stations showed PAICV securing 33 seats in parliament. The MpD followed with 30 seats, while the Independent and Democratic Cape Verdean Union (UCID) claimed two. Seven seats remain to be distributed as the final tally concludes.
Gaining Ground Throughout the Night
Inside the PAICV headquarters, party delegates monitored a fluctuating count that remained “neck-and-neck” for much of the evening. However, the trend eventually solidified in favor of the opposition, led by Francisco Carvalho, the current mayor of Praia and president of PAICV.
The MpD’s national campaign coordinator, Rui Figueiredo Soares, was the first official to address the public during the vote count. He admitted that the party had “not achieved its objectives.”
“So far, the data we have points to a better result for the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde,” Soares stated, emphasizing that the MpD would scrupulously respect the final democratic outcome.
A Significant Political Shift
This victory marks a major milestone for PAICV, ending two consecutive terms of MpD governance. Supporters are now awaiting a formal victory statement from Francisco Carvalho, whose campaign focused on reclaiming the leadership role the party held for decades following Cape Verde’s independence.
While the final seat distribution is still being finalized, the current figures suggest a clear mandate for PAICV to form the next government and set a new direction for the island nation.
Image: Pexels – Asad Photo Maldives
