Chad's Ruling Party Wins Election Boycotted by Main Opposition
TLDR
- Mahamat Déby’s Patriotic Salvation Movement (PSM) won 124 of 188 seats in Chad’s National Assembly in the December 29 parliamentary elections
- The elections, boycotted by the main opposition party Les Transformateurs, further consolidate Déby’s grip on power
- Déby, who assumed leadership in 2021 after his father Idriss Déby’s death, has faced criticism for allegedly using the elections to entrench his power
Mahamat Déby’s Patriotic Salvation Movement (PSM) won 124 of 188 seats in Chad’s National Assembly in the December 29 parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released Sunday. The elections, boycotted by the main opposition party Les Transformateurs, further consolidate Déby’s grip on power.
The vote marked Chad’s first parliamentary elections in over a decade. Déby, who assumed leadership in 2021 after his father Idriss Déby’s death, has faced criticism for allegedly using the elections to entrench his power. Former Prime Minister Succès Masra, leader of the boycotting Les Transformateurs, accused the government of undermining democratic processes.
Voter turnout figures were not disclosed. Meanwhile, Albert Pahimi Padacké’s National Rally for Democracy in Chad secured 12 seats. The results come shortly after an attack on the presidential palace in N’Djamena that killed 20 people, initially deemed a destabilization attempt but later described by authorities as an isolated act by young individuals.
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Key Takeaways
The PSM’s commanding victory in Chad’s parliamentary elections underscores Mahamat Déby’s consolidation of power, following his landslide presidential win in May. However, the opposition boycott and accusations of authoritarianism raise questions about the inclusivity and fairness of the process. The elections come amid lingering instability, exemplified by the recent palace attack, and challenges to democratic governance in a country long dominated by Déby’s family. Chad’s political future will depend on its ability to address opposition concerns while managing internal security risks.
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