Political parties

Introduction

After numerous delays, the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe finally held Legislative elections on August 1, 2010. The results of the election were significant in that the vote led to a change in the Parliamentary majority. Further, the result represented the disintegration of the previously incumbent Force for Change Democratic Movement - Liberal Party's (MDFM - PL's) power base, which decreased from 23 seats in the 2006 Legislative elections to a single seat in the most recent poll.

As a result, the Independent Democratic Action (ADI) party was able to increase its Parliamentary seats from 11 to 26, enabling them to command the majority in the National Assembly. The Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP - PSD) came in second place, increasing their seat count from 20 to 21. The newly formed democratic Convergence Party - Reflection Group won seven seats.

Parliamentary System

The island's legislative environment consists of a unicameral National Assembly. It was formally established after the 2006 Legislative elections, with 55 members elected in seven multimember constituencies. These members are elected through a party-list proportional representation system. Members of the National Assembly serve a four-year term.

Future Challenges

Many of the challenges present prior to the election remain a test for the islands. São Tomé and Príncipe remains one of the most impoverished nations in the world, qualifying for the International Monetary Fund's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. Being heavily reliant on cocoa as its main export, São Tomé and Príncipe remains vulnerable to economic turbulence and market shocks. A need to diversify the islands' economy, therefore, remains a priority.

In line with economic development, much relies on the Joint Development Zone shared with Nigeria, regarding petroleum in waters separating the two countries. Translating this mineral wealth into tangible gains on the ground is an important challenge for the islands' government.

With the demise of the MDMF-PL as a Parliamentary force, the new majority, the ADI, is tasked with ensuring and promoting political unity to drive change in the country. Its relationship with the second-biggest party in the National Assembly, the MLSTP-PSD, remains important as the two parties are by far the most dominant in the political realm.

Main Sources

Polity. Pre-election Report: São Tomé and Príncipe. (February 9, 2010).
CIA. World FactBook. (October 4, 2010).