Cape Verde’s Ruling MpD Charts 2026 Election Strategy Amid Infrastructure Challenges
Analysis of the Movement for Democracy’s political positioning as the party prepares for upcoming legislative elections and addresses persistent infrastructure concerns.
Strategic Planning for 2026 Elections Underway
The Movement for Democracy (MpD), Cape Verde’s ruling party, has initiated comprehensive preparations for the 2026 legislative elections, holding high-level meetings between its National Political Commission, Parliamentary Group, and government members. According to Secretary-General Agostinho Lopes, the retreat at the School of Hospitality and Tourism in Palmarejo Grande serves as the launching point for developing election strategies, policy priorities, and candidate selection processes.
“The upcoming election campaigns will certainly begin in February,” Lopes told journalists, noting that political activity would intensify in January 2025 as the party celebrates its 35th anniversary on January 3rd. This timeline suggests the MpD is adopting an early, methodical approach to election planning, nearly two years ahead of the scheduled vote.
Assessing National Progress and Persistent Challenges
The MpD leadership expressed confidence in their governance record, with Lopes asserting that “Cape Verde’s gains are visible to the naked eye” across health, employment, economic growth, and education sectors. He referenced data from national and international institutions to support claims that “Cape Verde has never been better off than it is now.”
However, the party acknowledges ongoing infrastructure challenges, particularly regarding electricity, water supply, and transportation systems. Lopes characterized these as structural issues requiring long-term solutions rather than immediate political fixes.
Infrastructure: The Core Challenge
Regarding energy and water infrastructure, Lopes explained: “The structural problem is that we have an old network, which is in a replacement process and has a very high level of loss in the pipelines. There is an overload, pipe bursts everywhere, and sometimes it’s not always possible to address everything at once.”
On transportation, the secretary-general identified vessel scarcity rather than pricing as the fundamental issue: “The problem is not the prices, but rather the ‘lack of boats.'” This acknowledgment suggests the MpD recognizes infrastructure modernization as a critical area requiring continued investment and policy attention.
Political Positioning Against Opposition Criticism
The MpD leadership appears determined to frame infrastructure debates as technical governance matters rather than election issues. Lopes asserted that electricity, water supply, and transportation “are not debates to be taken into the elections,” despite opposition parties highlighting these areas as significant concerns.
When addressing opposition proposals for free higher education, Lopes challenged the feasibility of such policies, asking journalists to “name one country in the world, no matter how developed, where higher education is free.” This response indicates the MpD’s strategy of positioning itself as the party of pragmatic, fiscally responsible governance.
Analysis: The Road to 2026
The MpD’s early election preparations reflect both confidence in their governance record and recognition of the challenges ahead. The party’s messaging attempts to balance celebration of national progress with acknowledgment of persistent infrastructure limitations that affect citizens’ daily lives.
As Cape Verde continues its development trajectory, the 2026 elections will likely hinge on voters’ assessment of whether infrastructure improvements have kept pace with economic growth and whether the MpD’s long-term approach to systemic problems represents prudent planning or delayed action.
Source: This analysis is based on original reporting from Brava News. Full credit goes to the original source.