Cape Verde president eyes new term as party builds on legislative win

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PRAIA, Nov 13 - Cape Verde President José Maria Neves is expected to win a second term on Sunday, an outcome that would cement full control of government by the island nation’s oldest political party after its victory in legislative elections earlier this year. Read more at straitstimes.com.

FILE PHOTO: People drive past presidential campaign billboards for Cape Verde’s president Jose Maria Neves and presidential candidate Joana Rosa in Praia, Cape Verde, November 12, 2026. REUTERS/Danilson Sequeira/File Photo

PRAIA, Nov 13 - Cape Verde President José Maria Neves is expected to win a second term on Sunday, an outcome that would cement full control of government by the island nation’s oldest political party after its victory in legislative elections earlier this year.

Situated more than 600 km (373 miles) west of mainland Africa, the former Portuguese colony is home to around only 500,000 people, although it made headlines this year when its men's soccer team embarked on a fairytale run to the World Cup knockout stage.

Neves' main challenger is Joana Rosa, a former justice minister and Cape Verde's first woman presidential candidate. Analysts put Neves as the clear favourite to win another five years in office, after a race that has highlighted issues like employment and stemming outward migration.

"We must also find ways to ensure that young people can build their futures here at home and prevent the continued exodus of young Cape Verdeans abroad," Rosa told Reuters.

"This outflow creates domestic problems and slows down our development process."

Cape Verde, also in the news this year when a cruise ship carrying hantavirus-infected passengers became stranded off its coast, operates under a hybrid presidential-parliamentary model. The prime minister heads the government while the president retains significant powers including veto authority and a mediating role.

Neves is backed by the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), which won 37 out of 72 seats in legislative elections in May, allowing Francisco Carvalho to become prime minister.

His opponent Rosa is from the Movement for Democracy party, which had governed for 10 years prior to the legislative vote.

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