Presidential: Jorge Carlos Fonseca announces re-election

Cape Verde, 27 July 2016 - The President of the Republic, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, announced his re-candidacy for the October presidential elections.

The announcement was made this Wednesday, in the city of Praia, on the sidelines of the launch of the fifth volume of the book "Magistratura de Influência", which brings together speeches and interventions by Jorge Carlos Fonseca as Head of State and marks the end of the first presidential term. of five years.

At the time, Jorge Carlos Fonseca also announced the suspension of functions as head of state, which will be taken over on an interim basis by the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Santos.

"My mandate is coming to an end, but the circumstances of the law and the interpretation that is made of it by the competent authorities will force me to end the exercise of the mandate before fulfilling the full five years, this to tell you, and announce , that I will run for the presidential elections on the 2nd of October for a second term", announced Jorge Carlos Fonseca.

After the announcement, the head of state received a standing ovation from those present at the book launch ceremony, including the first lady, Lígia Fonseca.

"I decided to run for a second term and, in compliance with the law, from this moment on I suspend the exercise of the functions of President of the Republic, and I will only be a candidate for the elections of 2 October, like others, possibly", he continued.

Speaking to journalists, Jorge Carlos Fonseca said that he would have no problems with the evaluation that Cape Verdeans make of his performance, but that the decision was difficult and had to consider several factors, of a personal, family and financial nature.

Asked about the possibility of running, for example, with José Maria Neves, the head of state said that he wants any Cape Verdean citizen, who is over 35 years of age, to enjoy the exercise of their rights , apply.

"This in politics is like in football, we have to respect all opponents, each game is a game, and therefore, any candidate who comes will have the same respect and the same consideration", he said, stressing, however, that it goes to the electoral race with "the will to be convinced of victory".

Jorge Carlos Fonseca informed that, after the deadline for submitting candidacies, he will organize a public presentation ceremony of his candidacy for a second mandate.

In the last presidential elections, in the second round, Jorge Carlos Fonseca obtained 55.13% of the votes, defeating Manuel Inocêncio Sousa (PAICV), and replaced Pedro Pires, who served two terms as head of State.

The elections for the Presidency of the Republic, scheduled for October 2, close the cycle of three elections this year in Cape Verde, after the legislative elections on March 20 and the municipal elections scheduled for September 4.

According to the electoral calendar released by the National Electoral Commission, candidacies must be submitted by August 3, at the Constitutional Court. The election campaign runs from 15 to 30 September.

Source : http://www.expressodasilhas.sapo.cv/