Cape Verde PM Presents New Government Program to Parliament
Cape Verdean Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho will formally present his administration’s legislative roadmap and a mandatory motion of confidence to the National Assembly today, marking a critical first step for the newly elected government.
The submission follows the government’s inauguration on June 19 and adheres to Article 197 of the Cape Verdean Constitution. The law requires a new executive to present its program for parliamentary review within 15 days of taking office. Following the formal delivery, Clóvis Silva, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, confirmed to Lusa that a final vote is scheduled for July 17.
“Cape Verde for All”
Carvalho, whose African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) secured an absolute majority in the May 17 elections, has signaled a shift toward social equity. During his inauguration, he emphasized a results-driven approach, stating, “The only way is to produce results, without excuses and without detours.”
Under the campaign banner “Cape Verde for All,” the Prime Minister has pledged that “no Cape Verdean can be left behind.” His administration’s agenda focuses on several key structural pillars, including:
- Ensuring free access to healthcare and public university education.
- Expanding vocational training opportunities for the workforce.
- Developing a more affordable national transportation network.
Stemming the “Youth Drain”
One of the most pressing challenges facing the Carvalho administration is the country’s demographic crisis. The Prime Minister has vowed to reverse the “drain of young people” who currently look to emigration as their only path to success. By building new economic foundations, Carvalho aims to create the opportunities at home that many citizens currently seek abroad.
The political landscape in Cape Verde has shifted significantly following the recent election. The PAICV now controls 37 of the 72 seats in the National Assembly, reclaiming an absolute majority after a decade of rule by the Movement for Democracy (MpD). The MpD now moves to the opposition with 33 seats, alongside the Independent and Democratic Cape Verdean Union (UCID), which holds two deputies.
Image: Pexels – Max Avans
