Praia, 26 May 2025 – The opposition party PAICV has elected a new president. Francisco Carvalho, the long-serving mayor of Cape Verde’s capital Praia, has won the party’s internal leadership election with 62% of the vote. He now takes the helm of the country’s main opposition party, bringing with him years of municipal experience and a socially oriented political agenda.
The election was conducted peacefully, with over ten thousand members participating. In his first remarks, Carvalho called for a “necessary transformation of PAICV” and expressed his determination to unite the party and prepare it for future challenges. His political vision includes lowering domestic transport costs, expanding access to healthcare and education, and promoting greater transparency in public administration.
His victory comes at a key moment: Cape Verde is preparing for parliamentary elections in 2026, in which PAICV will seek to return to power after several terms in opposition. The current Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva of the ruling MpD party, remains firmly positioned, but the leadership change in the opposition could bring new political momentum and policy ideas.
Carvalho is known for his emphasis on social inclusion, public education and civic cohesion. His practical experience managing Praia — and addressing the everyday needs of its citizens — is widely seen as a valuable asset in national politics.
“We must build a Cape Verde for everyone – Cabo Verde para todos,” he stated after the results were announced.
Cape Verdean President José Maria Neves formally congratulated Carvalho and praised the democratic process as a positive reflection of the country’s political maturity.
Why This Matters to Us
For the Czech-Cape Verdean Chamber of Commerce, a stable and predictable political environment is key to nurturing mutual cooperation, investment, and civic partnerships. That is why we follow Cape Verde’s political developments with an engaged and constructive interest — not only as observers, but as long-term development partners.
