President Carlos Vila Nova’s second-term victory will do little to alter São Tomé and Príncipe’s immediate economic trajectory, as executive power and economic policy remain firmly in the hands of the Prime Minister and Parliament.

That is the assessment of Professor Gerhard Seibert, Research Associate at the Centre for International Studies at ISCTE, University Institute of Lisbon and author of several books on the history and politics of São Tomé and Príncipe. He points out that under the island nation’s semi-presidential system, the Presidency carries very little executive authority to enact fiscal or structural reforms.

Vila Nova secured re-election with over 55% of the vote amid mounting socio-economic pressure on the cocoa-producing nation, including a rising cost of living, persistent energy shortages, and high youth unemployment. However, Seibert emphasises that his victory does not signal a fresh economic blueprint or policy shift.

“In the case of São Tomé and Príncipe, the head of state, the President, does not have executive powers or has very few executive powers,” Seibert explained. “Which means his election does not mean necessarily a change of politics or a new political program.”

Instead, actual control over economic governance rests with Head of Government Prime Minister Américo Ramos. With a deeply divided parliament and crucial legislative elections scheduled for September, Seibert notes that the real battle for the country’s economic and policy direction is still ahead.

Until those parliamentary elections settle which faction controls the 55-member National Assembly, the government’s ability to pass critical budgets, manage public debt, and address widespread economic discontent remains caught in the political crossfire.

–ChannelAfrica–