Prime Minister of Cape Verde

Prime Minister of Cape Verde
Post	Prime Minister
Body	Cape Verde
Incumbent	Ulisses Correia e Silva
Incumbentsince	22 April 2016
Style	His Excellency
Appointer	Jorge Carlos Fonseca
Formation	8 July 1975
Inaugural	Pedro Pires

Prime Minister of Cape Verde is the head of the executive branch in Cape Verde and the senior minister within the Council of Ministers (Cape Verde), acting alongside the President of Cape Verde and interacting with institutions such as the National Assembly (Cape Verde), the Constitution of Cape Verde and the African Union. The office has shaped relations with former colonial authority Portugal, regional bodies like the Economic Community of West African States and multilateral partners including the United Nations and the European Union. Occupants have influenced policy toward states such as Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and organizations like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank.

History

The office was established after independence from Portugal on 5 July 1975 and institutionalized with the adoption of the 1980 Constitution and subsequent revisions. Early politics were dominated by the Africano Amílcar Cabral Movement successor, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, later split into the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde and counterparts in Guinea-Bissau. During the Cold War era interactions occurred with actors such as Soviet Union, Cuba, and European Economic Community delegations. Democratic reforms in the early 1990s involved the first multi-party elections contested by the Movement for Democracy (Cape Verde), leading to alternation with figures connected to Amílcar Cabral’s legacy. Constitutional amendments, influenced by models from Portugal and comparative experiences in Ghana and Mozambique, redefined powers and cabinet procedures.

Role and Powers

The head of government directs the Council of Ministers (Cape Verde), coordinates policy implementation across ministries such as the Ministry of Finance (Cape Verde), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cape Verde), and the Ministry of Internal Administration (Cape Verde), and represents the country before bodies like the United Nations General Assembly and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. The prime minister proposes legislation to the National Assembly (Cape Verde), negotiates with parliamentary groups including the Movement for Democracy (Cape Verde), the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde and smaller parties, and signs international agreements subject to ratification under the Constitution of Cape Verde. Powers are balanced by the president’s authority to appoint ministers, ministers’ accountability to the assembly, and judicial review by the Supreme Court of Justice (Cape Verde).

Selection and Tenure

After legislative elections administered by the National Electoral Commission (Cape Verde), the president appoints as head of government the leader of the majority coalition or the candidate most likely to secure confidence in the National Assembly (Cape Verde). Tenure is tied to legislative terms, votes of confidence or no-confidence within the assembly, and constitutional term limits overseen by the Constitutional Court (Cape Verde). Transitions have followed electoral cycles involving parties such as the Movement for Democracy (Cape Verde), the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde, and coalitions with actors from civil society, trade unions like the National Union of Workers (Cape Verde), and local municipal leaders from Praia and Mindelo.

List of Prime Ministers

Notable occupants include founding leaders such as Pedro Pires, later presidents like Jorge Carlos Fonseca who interacted with prime ministers, opposition leaders from the Movement for Democracy (Cape Verde), and technocrats who served during structural adjustment programs with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The chronological list reflects political realignments after independence, the 1991 transition to multi-party rule, and subsequent administrations that engaged with partners including the European Investment Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and China. (For detailed chronological names and dates, consult legislative archival records, presidential decrees and National Assembly registers.)

Office and Residence

The prime minister’s official seat is in Praia, where the Palácio do Governo hosts cabinet meetings, state receptions for envoys from countries such as Portugal, Brazil, United States, and delegations from organizations like the European Union and African Union. The official residence and working offices coordinate with municipal authorities in Praia and port facilities in Mindelo for state logistics, and maintain liaison with diplomatic missions including the Embassy of Portugal in Praia, the United States Embassy in Praia, and consulates accredited to Cape Verde.

Political Parties and Coalitions

Prime ministers have come from parties including the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde and the Movement for Democracy (Cape Verde), with occasional coalitions involving smaller parties and independents from islands such as São Vicente, Santiago, Sal, and Fogo. Electoral strategies have involved alliances with civic groups, labor organizations, and diaspora networks in Portugal, United States, and Portugal's Azores communities, shaping policy platforms on migration, tourism partnerships with Cape Verde Airlines, and infrastructure financed by entities like the European Investment Bank.

Notable Prime Ministers and Impact

Leaders such as Pedro Pires oversaw independence-era consolidation, while later figures from the Movement for Democracy (Cape Verde) implemented liberalization policies tied to programs with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Other prime ministers advanced initiatives in tourism development involving partnerships with Portugal, Brazil, and investors from Spain and China, negotiated maritime agreements with Senegal and Mauritania, and represented Cape Verde in multilateral summits like the United Nations Climate Change Conference and African Union Summit. Their legacies include state modernization, diplomatic outreach to the European Union and United States, and institutional reforms reflected in successive constitutional amendments.

Category:Politics of Cape Verde Category:Government of Cape Verde