2026 Cape Verdean parliamentary election

The previous legislative elections of April 2021 — held during the COVID-19 pandemic — resulted in a majority for the Movement for Democracy (MpD), led by then-Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. Despite a decline in its percentage of the vote, the MpD managed to retain an absolute majority of seats, while the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) led by Janira Hopffer Almada gained one seat after a marginal decrease in votes, and the Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union (UCID) benefited from a small increase in votes and took one more seat.^[2]

Held six months later, the October presidential election was won in the first round by José Maria Neves, former prime minister (2001–2016) from the PAICV. With over 51% of the vote, he defeated MpD candidate Carlos Veiga, who was also a former head of government. This victory established a power-sharing arrangement with Correia e Silva, also from the MpD.^[3]

In December 2024, the local elections saw the PAICV win 14 municipalities—including the capital, Praia. This was the first time the party had come out on top in municipal elections since those of February 2000.^[4][5] Despite the MpD's defeat, its national leadership announced on 12 January 2025 that it would renew its support for Correia e Silva for a new term in the 2026 legislative elections.^[6] On 25 May of the same year, the mayor of Praia, Francisco Carvalho, was elected as president of the PAICV. He was then considered to be the party's candidate for prime minister in 2026.^[7][8]

On 19 January 2026, President Neves announced legislative elections for 17 May following consultations with the various political parties; the presidential decree convening the election was published on 9 February.^[9] The 2026 presidential election is scheduled for 15 November for the first round, with a potential second round on 29 November, that is, six months after the legislative elections.^[10]

The 72 members of the National Assembly are elected from 13 multi-member constituencies ranging in size from two to 15 seats. Three of the 13 multi-member constituencies are for diaspora voters in Africa, the Americas and Europe. The elections are held using closed list proportional representation, with seats allocated using the d'Hondt method.^{[11][failed verification]}

The MpD, PAICV, the UCID, the Labour and Solidarity Party (PTS), and the People's Party all contested the election.^[12]

The central issues of the campaign were the cost of living, poverty, and youth unemployment.^[13][14] The election was set against a rise in populism and polarisation as well as declining trust in democracy. Of the five parties running, only the MpD and PAICV were considered able to win a majority in the parliament. The incumbent MpD, who had been in power for 10 years at the time of the election, campaigned on a promise of stability. They defended their record in office and presented themselves as able to defend Cape Verdean democracy. The opposition PAICV campaigned for change and accused the MpD of not fulfilling promises for young people.^[13] The leader of the PAICV also stated his openness to reviewing the Constitution of Cape Verde and strengthening the justice system.^[15]

Two debates were held before the election: one on 28 April and one on 8 May. In the 28 April debate the leaders of all political parties standing in the election were invited, but the PAICV and PTS did not participate. At the time, the leader of the PAICV Francisco Carvalho was travelling around the country campaigning.^[16] A second debate was held on 8 May in which all five party leaders participated. The debate lasted for three hours and was hosted by the public radio station RTC. The debate was conducted in Cape Verdean Creole.^[17]

In April 2026, as the start of the official electoral campaign approached, the PAICV denounced repeated violations of the electoral code by the government of Ulisses Correia e Silva, which it accused of using state resources for partisan purposes, while the National Elections Commission (CNE) was criticised for its inaction in the face of these complaints. The government denounced the PAICV's complaints, stating that it was raised "with the aim of influencing the political game".^[18] On the other hand, the MpD also denounced Francisco Carvalho's decision not to resign as mayor of Praia but only to step aside by appointing a temporary replacement, as the electoral law prohibits the mayor and municipal councillors from standing in the constituency where they work. The MpD saw this manoeuvre as a "way to get around the law".^[19]

Provisional results indicated that the PAICV was guaranteed to win at least 33 seats and was on track to win an absolute majority of 37 seats.^[14] The MpD followed in second with 30 seats called so far, while the UCID secured third place with two seats.^[20] The abstention rate was 53.3%, revealing that more than half of Cape Verdeans did not vote in the election.^[20] While the PTS did not secure any parliamentary seats, votes for the PTS doubled from the previous election.^[21] The People's Party also did not secure any parliamentary seats, coming in fifth place in the popular vote.^[22]

More information 99.3% reporting, Party ...

99.3% reporting
Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde	90,175	47.99	37	+7
	Movement for Democracy	84,149	44.79	33	−5
	Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union	9,771	5.20	2	−2
	Labour and Solidarity Party	3,267	1.74	0	0
	People's Party	525	0.28	0	0
Total		187,887	100.00	72	0
Valid votes		187,887	97.56
Invalid votes		2,023	1.05
Blank votes		2,679	1.39
Total votes		192,589	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		414,098	46.51
Source: CNE

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PAICV candidate Magui Almeida celebrated the party winning the island of São Nicolau for the first time in its history, while UCID candidate Elton Sequeira conceded the party's defeat and also acknowledged how the UCID was building strength on the island.^[23] UCID leader João Santos Luís said that he was disappointed that the party lost half of its parliamentary representation, blaming the lower turnout for the loss.^[24] On Sal, MpD candidate Carlos Santos remarked that the party continued to lead on the island, while UCID candidate Aldirley Gomes and PAICV candidate Carlos Monteiro stated their concerns about the low turnout and alleged vote buying during the campaign.^[25] People's Party leader Amândio Vicente similarly denounced vote buying and the two-party system, stating that smaller parties still had lack of representation in the National Assembly.^[22] PTS leader Jónica Brito acknowledged the doubling of votes for the PTS and the low turnout, stating that Cape Verdeans were not satisfied with the two-party system of MpD and PAICV.^[21]

PAICV leader Francisco Carvalho declared that Cape Verdeans voted for a change of management and perspective for the future of the country, while also accusing the MpD of alleged vote buying over the campaign.^[26] PAICV deputy leader Janira Hopffer Almada added that the victory for PAICV represented Cape Verdeans choosing a platform of inclusion and shared prosperity.^[27] Carvalho also announced plans for growth and a "New Cape Verde" as well as emphasising the role of all the islands of the country in governance as opposed to simply ruling from Praia.^[28][29]

MpD coordinator Rui Figueiredo Soares expressed surprise at the results of the election, stating that the party was counting on retaining the absolute majority in the National Assembly.^[30] As a result of the MpD's loss, prime minister Ulisses Correia e Silva conceded to PAICV and announced his resignation from the party leadership, while also stating that the MpD will assume opposition.^[31]