Cape Verde Power Transition: Francisco Carvalho to Take Office
In a display of democratic stability, Cape Verde’s outgoing Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva officially welcomed his successor, Francisco Carvalho, to the Government Palace in Praia on Monday. The meeting marks the formal start of a power transition following last month’s legislative elections.
A Calm Handover After a Decade of MpD Rule
“The conversation took place in a calm and serene manner,” Carvalho told reporters after the meeting. The Prime Minister-designate, who leads the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), emphasized the country’s reputation for political maturity. “Cape Verde is a country of peace,” he added, signaling that the handover would be seamless.
The transition ends 10 years of governance by the Movement for Democracy (MpD). The PAICV reclaimed power in the May 17 elections, securing an absolute majority with 37 of the 72 seats in the National Assembly. The outgoing MpD will now lead the opposition with 33 deputies, joined by two members from the Independent and Democratic Cape Verdean Union (UCID).
Timeline for the New Administration
The pace of the transition is set to accelerate this week. Carvalho confirmed that interlocutors have been appointed to manage the logistics and dates for the final transfer of duties. Key milestones include:
- Thursday: The new parliament will convene for the first time. This is also the deadline for Carvalho to present his list of cabinet members to President José Maria Neves.
- Friday: President Neves is expected to officially swear in the new executive team.
Early Priorities
While the full cabinet list remains under wraps for a few more days, the incoming Prime Minister promised transparency regarding his administration’s immediate goals. Carvalho announced that a press conference will be held shortly to outline the government’s priorities for its first 100 days in office.
Image: Pexels – Nikolai Kolosov
