Cape Verde Elections: Voters Seek Economic Relief
PRAIA, Cape Verde — As the rhythmic blast of campaign songs and loudspeaker trucks fill the streets of Praia, the citizens of Cape Verde are preparing to head to the polls. While the role of the President in this island nation is largely ceremonial, for many voters, the November 15 election represents a desperate plea for economic relief.
Interviews with voters in the historic Plateau district reveal a population struggling with a high cost of living, stagnant wages, and a deepening sense of inequality. Despite the President lacking direct executive power over the budget, voters like 30-year-old vendor Miriam Helena believe the office carries the moral weight necessary to spark change.
“Those in Power Never See the Poor”
“First of all, improve salaries,” Helena said, standing amidst the bustle of the capital. Beyond paychecks, she pointed to a laundry list of urgent needs: better access to water and electricity, a crackdown on crime, and more opportunities for young people to work abroad given the lack of domestic options.
A few meters away, 62-year-old Maria Conceição, a veteran market seller of 32 years, shared a more cynical view of the political class. “Those who sit in power never see the poor. They’ve never come to me,” she said. Conceição, who has voted in every election since the country transitioned to democracy, says life remains a struggle as food and fuel prices soar. “They say healthcare is free, but the medicine is expensive and we can’t find it. We suffer regardless.”
A Crisis of Trust Among Youth
This sense of abandonment has led to a significant rift in the electorate. In 2021, voter abstention reached a staggering 52%, and that apathy remains visible. Etson Sanches, a 33-year-old street fish vendor, says he has never cast a ballot because he doesn’t trust campaign promises.
“They say they will help the poor, but they don’t. They help those who are well-off,” Sanches said. “A good President should actually know the reality of the people. They pretend they do, but they don’t.”
However, younger voters like 22-year-old Georgiane de Pina, who is currently unemployed, still hold out hope for intervention. She argues that the President must act as a catalyst for youth employment. “When you support the youth, you help the whole country,” she noted.
The Race for the Presidency
Six candidates are vying for the five-year term. Incumbent President José Maria Neves, supported by the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), is seeking re-election. Historically, every Cape Verdean president who has sought a second term has been successful.
His primary challenger is Joana Rosa, backed by the Movement for Democracy (MpD). The field is rounded out by independent and minor-party candidates Gilson Alves, Casimiro de Pina, Antero Tavares, and Loisito Sousa.
With 426,531 registered voters—including a significant diaspora making up 18% of the electorate—the candidates face the difficult task of convincing a skeptical public that the “weight” of the presidency can be used to lower the price of bread and put more money in the pockets of the working class.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
