Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva of Cape Verde, who is seeking re-election in this week’s legislative elections, says he is “confident” he will win “by an absolute majority,” arguing that government stability is necessary for the region, as well as “good for our oil and diamonds.”
“We are confident in the sense that we can achieve victory with an absolute majority that will allow for government stability in parliament, because this is very important for the country. Stability is fundamental because the country depends on trust and stability. This is good for the people, the citizens, the investors, and our partners. It’s our oil, our diamonds: democracy, stability, security.”
Ulisses is running against Janira Hopffer Almada of the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde, who says his top priority if re-elected is to defeat Covid.
Despite constraints imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, she took to the streets to encourage her followers to vote in a joyful and festive atmosphere.
Some of the competing political parties have been attempting in vain to reach an agreement to ban demonstrations, citing the Covid-19 pandemic, since the election campaign officially began.
The CNE declared rallies illegal, but did not intervene in events organized by the ruling party and PAICV candidates.
The parties are vying for control of the national assembly’s 72 seats.
Educator, writer and legal researcher at Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy.