Cape Verde holds presidential election that could elect first woman president

Cape Verde held a presidential election on Sunday that could see the Atlantic island nation elect its first woman president since independence from Portugal in 1975.

The Candidates and the Vote

Six candidates competed in the election. Former Justice Minister Joana Rosa challenged incumbent José Maria Neves, who is seeking a second term. If no candidate receives more than half the votes, a runoff will be held on November 29.

Rosa is backed by the opposition Movement for Democracy. She is the first woman to contest the presidency since independence. Women have held senior Cabinet posts, but Cape Verde has never had a female prime minister or president.

Neves belongs to the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), which won a parliamentary majority in May, ending a decade of government led by the Movement for Democracy. A Rosa victory would place the presidency and government in rival political camps.

Powers and Campaign Issues

Under Cape Verde’s parliamentary system, the prime minister directs government policy and holds most executive authority. The president’s role is largely symbolic, although the directly elected head of state can veto legislation.

Neves has pledged to build cross-party support to improve housing, healthcare and education, create jobs and raise wages. He won the 2021 election with about 52% of the vote.

Rosa has centered her campaign on maintaining a balance of power, arguing that the country needs a counterweight to PAICV, which backs Neves and controls the government and most municipalities. She has also called for policies that allow young people to build their futures at home rather than leave the country.

Voters and Context

The country is home to about half a million people and has a record of peaceful transfers of power and competitive elections in a region where that is rare. Nearly 77,000 Cape Verdeans abroad are registered to vote, almost a fifth of the total electorate.

Roselma Évora, a professor of political science and gender studies at the University of Cabo Verde, said limited economic prospects have been driving young people to seek opportunities abroad. She also said many voters feel distant from their leaders and want a president who understands their daily difficulties.

Rosário Luz, a Cape Verde-based writer, said party loyalties mattered more than Rosa’s gender. “We have a lot of women in politics, but we don’t have the policies for women that we should have,” she said.

Why it matters

The election could produce Cape Verde’s first woman president and first female head of state since independence in 1975. The outcome will also determine whether the presidency and government remain in opposing political camps after PAICV’s parliamentary majority in May.

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Sources

• wral.com: Cape Verde votes in an election that could see its first woman president since independence in 1975 :: WRAL.com
• timesofindia.indiatimes.com: Cape Verde votes in election that could deliver first woman president - The Times of India
• jagonews24.com: Cape Verde votes in election that could usher in first female president | English
• minutemirror.com.pk: Cape Verde election could make history with first female president - Minute Mirror
• mdjonline.com: Cape Verde votes in an election that could see its first woman president since independence in 1975 | National News | mdjonline.com
• abcnews.com: Cape Verde could elect first woman president since gaining independence in 1975 - ABC News

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.