Seychelles votes in general election dominated by economy, environment and drug crisis
The Seychelles conducted an election on Sat, Sep 21, 2025, to select a new leader and parliament. President Wavel Ramkalawan is pursuing a second term. His primary opponent, Patrick Herminie of the United Seychelles Party, previously served as a lawmaker…
The Seychelles conducted an election on Sat, Sep 21, 2025, to select a new leader and parliament. President Wavel Ramkalawan is pursuing a second term. His primary opponent, Patrick Herminie of the United Seychelles Party, previously served as a lawmaker and parliamentary speaker from 2007 to 2016.
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. to accommodate a high voter turnout. The president of Seychelles is elected for a five-year term. Electoral authorities confirmed that all stations opened on time and that voting proceeded smoothly. If no candidate secures over 50% of the vote, a runoff will take place between the top two candidates. Approximately 77,000 individuals are registered to vote in the country.
President Ramkalawan, initially an Anglican priest, became politically active and made history in 2020 as the first opposition leader since 1976 to defeat the ruling party. The ruling Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party emphasized economic recovery, social development, and environmental sustainability in its campaign.
The 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean is renowned for its luxury and environmentally focused tourism, positioning Seychelles among Africa’s wealthiest nations by GDP per capita, according to the World Bank. This economic growth has contributed to the emergence of a middle class and increased political opposition.
The Seychelles conducted an election on Sat, Sep 21, 2025, to select a new leader and parliament.
A recent constitutional case was filed by activists against the government's decision to lease part of Assomption Island to a Qatari company for a luxury hotel. The lease includes airstrip reconstruction for international flights, sparking criticism that it prioritizes foreign interests over national welfare and sovereignty.
Seychelles, covering approximately 390,000 square kilometers, is susceptible to climate change, including rising sea levels, as indicated by the World Bank and the UN Sustainable Development Group.
The country faces a significant drug crisis. The 2017 United Nations report identified Seychelles as a key drug transit route. The 2023 Global Organized Crime Index noted high heroin addiction rates, with an estimated 6,000 users in a population of 120,000. Most residents live on Mahé Island, which hosts the capital, Victoria.
President Ramkalawan has faced criticism for not effectively addressing the drug crisis. His opponent, Herminie, also received criticism for not reducing addiction rates during his tenure as chairman of the national Agency for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation from 2017 to 2020.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
