PAICV Backs Cape Verde PM Carvalho Amidst 26 Criminal Charges
The parliamentary group of the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) has declared its unwavering support for Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho, despite a major legal challenge. The announcement comes after the Public Prosecutor’s Office indicted Carvalho for 26 crimes allegedly committed during his tenure as the President of the Praia City Council.
Speaking in the capital city of Praia on Tuesday, PAICV parliamentary leader Carla Lima insisted that the bench remains “united and cohesive.” The show of solidarity precedes a critical special session scheduled for Friday, where the government will present its program and face a motion of confidence.
“The PAICV parliamentary bench is working to ensure a favorable vote on the motion of confidence, giving the Prime Minister and the cabinet all the conditions to fulfill their mandate,” Lima stated. Responding to rumors of internal strife, she added, “There is no internal divergence. What is important are the Cape Verdeans, not political vendettas or partisan grievances.”
Accusations and Political Fallout
The Attorney General’s Office revealed that the indictment against Carvalho and three councilors involves acts occurring between 2021 and 2025. The 26 charges are grave, including abuse of power, embezzlement, passive corruption, falsification of public documents, and qualified fraud. The Public Prosecutor has requested a trial before the Sotavento Court of Appeal.
Prime Minister Carvalho has struck back at the allegations, labeling the indictment an “attempted coup d’état.” Meanwhile, the opposition Movement for Democracy (MpD) has called for his resignation. Eurico Monteiro, interim president of the MpD, argued that the charges are “incompatible” with the duties of a Prime Minister and urged for a political solution within the parliamentary majority.
Carla Lima dismissed these calls, urging the opposition to respect “the Constitution and the will expressed by Cape Verdeans at the ballot box.” She emphasized that justice matters should remain in the courts, warning against the “judicialization of politics.”
Proposed Legal Reforms
In a move to distance the judiciary from political influence, the PAICV announced plans to propose a new method for electing the Attorney General (PGR). Lima suggested that the position should be filled through a “competitive process” rather than political appointment.
“The transparency, seriousness, and efficiency of Cape Verdean justice cannot be dependent on political-partisan interests,” Lima argued.
However, implementing such a change will be an uphill battle. Luís Carlos Silva, leader of the MpD parliamentary bench, noted that constitutional reforms require a two-thirds majority—a threshold the PAICV does not reach despite its absolute majority. “This is a topic we are available to analyze,” Silva said, though he questioned the government’s authority to lead on the issue given the current circumstances.
The PAICV returned to power in May 2026 after a decade in opposition, securing 37 seats in the 72-member parliament. The MpD currently holds 33 seats, while the Independent and Democratic Cape Verdean Union (UCID) holds two.
Image: Pexels – Jan van der Wolf
