The ruling party of Ivory Coast gains a majority in the weekend vote
Elections held over the weekend saw the main opposition party, headed by former CEO of Credit Suisse Tidjane Thiam, lose half of its seats, while Ivory Coast’s ruling party gained a larger majority in parliament, according to preliminary figures.
President Alassane Ouattara should find it easier to carry out his plan, which includes attracting private investment to the largest economy in French-speaking West Africa and the world’s largest producer of cocoa, thanks to the strong turnout for the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace, or RHDP.
Ouattara, an 83-year-old former International Monetary Fund deputy managing director who was re-elected in October for a fourth term, has also stated that he will utilize his mandate to pave the way for a new generation of political leaders.
According to preliminary results released by the electoral commission on Monday, the RHDP won 197 of 255 seats in the National Assembly on Saturday, up from 163.
Independent candidates won 23 seats, while Thiam’s Democratic Party of Ivory Coast, or PDCI, got 32, down from 65.
35.04% of voters cast ballots, compared to 37.88% in the previous legislative elections in 2021.
A four-month battle preceded Ouattara’s initial ascent to power in 2011.
In the October 25 presidential election, in which Thiam and former President Laurent Gbagbo were not allowed to participate, he was re-elected with almost 89% of the vote.
This year’s legislative elections were boycotted by Gbagbo’s party due to their perceived lack of credibility.
