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Angolans started casting ballots on Wednesday, 24th August in what is expected to be the most competitive vote in the democratic history of the southern African country. The incumbent president Joao Lourenco is pitted against charismatic opposition leader Adalberto Costa Junior
Angolans started casting ballots on Wednesday, 24th August in what is expected to be the most competitive vote in the democratic history of the southern African country. The incumbent president Joao Lourenco is pitted against charismatic opposition leader Adalberto Costa Junior. The Angolan economy is facing several imponderables, such as the high cost of living, soaring poverty compounded by the Covid pandemic, and drought in southern parts of the country; the list is long.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party has been in power for nearly five decades. Now, it is facing a serious challenge since the country’s first multiparty vote in 1992. Many people are endorsing the view that a party that ruled for nearly five decades could not provide basic necessities despite being in power.
Angola is an oil-rich country and the administration, they feel, failed to leverage that indomitable position to improve the welfare of the common man. Some are very vocal against the present government and vouch for their support for the main opposition party- the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). Importantly, UNITA has entered pacts with two other parties to get an electoral advantage.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/angolan-election-youth-a-decisive-factor/
https://trendsnafrica.com/angola-to-witness-an-eight-cornered-presidential-fight-on-24th-august/
https://trendsnafrica.com/angola-elections-lourencos-prospects-look-bright/
The MPLA won 61 percent of the vote in the 2017 elections. Opinion polls predict that it may come down this time given the present state of the economy and the understanding among the opposition parties. Yet, there is a growing realization when the elections are already over that Lourenco may secure a second five-year mandate, even though the margins may be razor thin.
