São Tomé e Príncipe – Government defeated in censure motion

In São Tomé e Príncipe the Independent Democratic Action (ADI) government led by PM Patrice Trovoada has been defeated in a motion of no-confidence.

The opposition Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP/PSD) put down the motion for a series of reasons that are available in Portuguese here. Jornal ST reports that the motion was passed 29 votes to 0 with 0 abstentions. Yes, that means the ADI deputies did not vote against the motion of no-confidence. That said, the ADI has the support of only 26 deputies. Therefore, given the PCD and MDFM deputies were always likely to support the MLSTP/PSD’s motion, there was no likelihood of the government surviving.

The situation is potentially destabilising. The ADI want early elections to be held. However, for this to happen the President, Manuel Pinto da Costa, has to dissolve the legislature. The problem for the ADI is that President Pinto da Costa is close to the MLSTP/PSD. Therefore, he has little incentive to accede to the ADI’s request. There are also financial implications for holding early elections. The ADI have threatened to take to the streets to try to force the president’s hand. For its part, the MLSTP/PSD may be able to form a government of its own, especially if the other parties in parliament are willing to join a coalition. There is also the possibility of a technocratic government.

President Pinto da Costa convened a meeting of the Council of State to take advice about the situation. He will be making an address to the nation tonight.

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