Cape Verde Elections: Call to End One-Party Dominance
As Cape Verde approaches its legislative elections on May 17, Dionísio Simões Pereira, president of the Cape Verdean Forum of Civil Society (Forum CV), is calling for a shift in the country’s political landscape. In an interview with Lusa, Pereira argued that the era of absolute majorities may be hindering the nation’s democratic maturity.
Breaking the ‘Radicalism’ of Majority Rule
Since 1991, Cape Verdean politics has been dominated by two giants: the Movement for Democracy (MpD) and the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV). While this has provided stability, Pereira warns it has also fostered “radicalism” and “overwhelming positioning” by the party in power.
“Cape Verde needs to test its capacity—both the capacity of those who exercise power and that of society,” Pereira said. He believes a more fragmented parliament, where no single party holds a total majority, would force a shift toward “moderation of language, tolerance, and flexibility in negotiation.”
Focus on the ‘Kingmaker’
The Cape Verdean Independent and Democratic Union (UCID), traditionally the third-largest force in parliament, is positioning itself as the potential kingmaker. Pereira noted that under its new leadership, João Santos Luís, the party is expanding beyond its traditional stronghold in São Vicente.
The recruitment of former MpD figures—such as Alberto Melo in the capital, Praia, and Casimiro de Pina on Fogo island—signals a strategic attempt to break the duopoly. This “new ingredient” could be the key to shifting the balance of power in the 72-seat National Assembly.
Personality Over Policy
Despite critical issues like healthcare, unreliable inter-island transport, and minimum wage increases dominating the headlines, Pereira expressed disappointment with the depth of the current debate. He criticized the campaign for becoming a “personification of the process,” focusing more on the rivalry between Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and PAICV leader Francisco Carvalho than on substantive policy platforms.
“The MpD leans toward market-oriented policies, while the PAICV is oriented toward a social welfare state,” Pereira explained. He argued that the differences between the two would be “much more evident” if the candidates focused on their ideological foundations rather than personal attacks.
A Call for Greater Accountability
While Pereira praised Cape Verde’s electoral integrity and the absence of “clinging to power at all costs,” he highlighted a major gap in the democratic process: civil society oversight. He lamented the lack of mechanisms to monitor campaign promises after the votes are counted.
“There is no way to hold power holders accountable in the public square for promises made and not kept,” Pereira said. He called for the development of “reliable, objective data” to empower the electorate to track government performance.
The Selection on May 17
The upcoming vote will see Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva seeking a third consecutive term for the MpD. He faces a challenge from Francisco Carvalho, who hopes to leverage the PAICV’s success in the December 2024 municipal elections to reclaim the government.
Currently, the MpD holds 38 seats and the PAICV holds 30, with the UCID holding the remaining four. With roughly 419,700 registered voters—a 7% increase from 2021—and 72 seats up for grabs across the islands and the diaspora, the potential for a hung parliament remains the central question of the 2026 election.
Image: Pexels – Mikhail Nilov
