PTS Aims to Break Cape Verde’s Two-Party Political System
The People, Labor, and Solidarity Party (PTS) is on a mission to shatter the long-standing two-party dominance in Cape Verde. Ahead of the May 17 legislative elections, party president Janica Brito is positioning the PTS as a “young, responsible, and prepared alternative” designed to give a voice to the country’s marginalized youth and working class.
Challenging the Status Quo
Running under the slogan “Cape Verde in the Heart,” the PTS is fielding candidates in six of the 13 electoral districts, including three in the diaspora. Brito argues that the traditional political duopoly—held by the ruling Movement for Democracy (MpD) and the opposition African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV)—has “suffocated political debate” and ignored the country’s most pressing issues.
“Freedom and democracy cannot remain only at the level of discourse,” Brito told Lusa news agency. “They must translate into concrete opportunities, quality public services, and effective respect for the daily lives of Cape Verdean families.”
A Voice for the “Ignored” Majority
A central pillar of the PTS platform is the inclusion of young people in governance. Despite youth making up the majority of the population, Brito points out a stark lack of representation in the National Assembly.
“In parliament, deputies under the age of 40 do not even reach 3%,” she noted, adding that the presence of youth in administrative decision-making roles is “practically zero.” The PTS aims to bridge this gap, alongside policies specifically targeting women, single-parent families, and informal sector workers—groups Brito claims have been “systematically ignored.”
Economic Reform and Social Justice
Identifying as a center-left force, the PTS is calling for a more interventionist state to combat rising inflation, extreme poverty, and a growing housing crisis. Brito highlighted the dire conditions facing many families living in shacks without sanitation, calling it a public health emergency. The party is pushing for a concrete mandate to eradicate precarious housing by 2030.
To strengthen the economy, the PTS advocates for diversifying away from a heavy reliance on tourism. Proposed measures include:
- Boosting Domestic Production: Incentivizing agriculture, livestock, and national industry to reduce external dependence.
- Empowering Local Investors: Reducing bureaucracy and offering tax benefits to national investors to put them on “equal footing” with foreign capital.
- Sustaining Maritime Resources: Ensuring that the wealth from Cape Verde’s waters actually benefits the local population.
Foreign Policy and Regional Integration
While maintaining global partnerships, the PTS is calling for a strategic shift in foreign policy toward the African continent. Brito believes Cape Verde must strengthen its regional integration and deepen its ties with neighbor nations to secure a more stable future.
Founded in 2001, the PTS faces an uphill battle against the established political giants. However, Brito remains focused on the human element of politics. “Our commitment,” she said, “is to rebuild solidarity as the foundation of a more just, inclusive republic that is closer to its citizens.”
Image: Pexels – Mikhail Nilov
