São Tomé and Príncipe president asks MLSTP for a prime minister within 24 hours
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Rádio Somos Todos Primos
The president of São Tomé and Príncipe has dismissed Américo Ramos’s government, kept on in a caretaker capacity, at the opening of the new legislature. He invites the MLSTP, winner of the legislative elections without an absolute majority, to propose a prime minister in writing within 24 hours, with guarantees of parliamentary support, according to the Presidency.
The president of the Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe on Tuesday asked the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP), which came first in the legislative elections without an absolute majority, to send him in writing, within 24 hours, the name of its candidate for prime minister. According to a post by the Presidency on social media, he requires that the name be accompanied by information making it possible to assess the support the candidate would have in the National Assembly to have the Government Programme adopted.
In his letter to the MLSTP, quoted by the Presidency, the head of state stresses the importance of this procedure for "the safeguarding of the national interest, respect for democratic principles and the promotion of political and institutional stability".
The MLSTP won the legislative elections of 27 September with 24 of the 55 seats and claims the right to form the government. The Independent Democratic Action (ADI), second with 23 seats, has however signed a parliamentary agreement with the MCI-PS/PUN coalition, which has six MPs. Together, they total 29 MPs, an absolute majority, with a view to keeping the outgoing prime minister in post.
A few minutes earlier, the Presidency had announced the automatic resignation of Américo Ramos’s (ADI) government at the opening of the new legislature. The government remains in office in a caretaker capacity until the next executive is appointed and sworn in.
This request comes on the day the president dismissed Américo Ramos’s government and Nilda da Mata was elected president of the National Assembly. The MLSTP won the vote on 27 September, according to our summary of the legislative elections.
