Cape Verde PM: AG Nominee Rejection a Win for Democracy
Cape Verdean Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho has downplayed the recent friction between his administration and the presidency, describing President José Maria Neves’ rejection of his nominee for Attorney General as a natural part of the “democratic game.”
Democracy in Action
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in the capital city of Praia on Wednesday, Carvalho emphasized that the disagreement does not signal a political crisis, but rather the healthy functioning of state institutions. “It is fundamental that we all understand that we are in a democracy,” Carvalho stated. “The Government has the power to choose and propose; the President has the power to agree or not. Everything is within the democratic game.”
The Prime Minister argued that such checks and balances should not be met with surprise, but should instead be viewed as evidence that “democracy is happening.” When asked about the government’s next steps, Carvalho confirmed that the search for a new candidate has already begun. “Of course, we have to have another name. We will look among Cape Verdeans for the candidate we will propose,” he said.
The President’s Reservations
The political maneuvering follows President Neves’ formal decision on Monday to block the appointment of Júlio César Martins Tavares to the nation’s top prosecutor post. Tavares previously served as Attorney General between 2008 and 2014 and has recently been working in the justice sector in Timor-Leste.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, President Neves clarified that his rejection was not a reflection of Tavares’ professional, academic, or technical expertise. Instead, the President cited “legal-disciplinary issues” regarding Tavares’ previous dismissal for “abandonment of post”—a ruling that the jurist is currently contesting in court.
Protecting Judicial Integrity
President Neves argued that the leadership of the Public Prosecutor’s Office must be held by an individual whose status is free from unresolved legal controversy. The decision, Neves noted, is intended to preserve the “moral authority and prestige” of the country’s justice institutions and to ensure there are no lingering doubts regarding the independence of the Attorney General’s office.
As the government prepares a new nomination, the focus shifts back to the Prime Minister’s office to see who will be tapped to lead the nation’s legal apparatus amid this heightened scrutiny of institutional integrity.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
