Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement has won 124 out of 188 seats in recent parliamentary elections, with a 51.5% voter turnout. The elections were boycotted by major opposition parties, which raises concerns about their legitimacy. Analysts suggest that President Mahamat Idriss Deby has further solidified his power amid the lack of strong political competition. This election is part of the nation’s transition to democracy following the military takeover in 2021.
Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), has secured a majority in the recent parliamentary elections, garnering 124 out of 188 seats, as provisional results indicate. This election, the first parliamentary exercise in over ten years, saw a voter turnout of 51.5%. Notably, the election was boycotted by the main opposition parties, raising questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process. Analysts believe that the absence of formidable opposition has strengthened President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s hold on power after his ascent to leadership in 2021, following the death of his father, long-serving President Idriss Deby Itno.
In April 2021, Mahamat Idriss Deby seized power by leading a military coup that followed the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled Chad for three decades. The recent parliamentary elections were framed as the concluding stage of Chad’s transition to democracy. The government had pledged that these elections would empower local governance through the decentralization of authority. This electoral process, however, was marked by a boycott from more than ten opposition parties, which claimed that previous electoral undertakings were rife with irregularities and lacked credibility.
The results of Chad’s parliamentary elections have underscored the significant challenges facing the nation, including the dominance of the ruling party amidst a fragmented opposition landscape. Analysts maintain that President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s grip on power is likely to be reinforced due to the absence of credible rivals. As Chad grapples with multiple security challenges and evolving political dynamics, the implications of these election results may resonate profoundly within the country’s sociopolitical fabric as it navigates its path toward democratization.
Original Source: www.euronews.com
