Chad’s Ruling Party Dominates In First Senate Election, Results Confirm
Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement won 45 out of 46 Senate seats in the first election, fortifying President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s authority. This follows significant electoral victories and internal shifts in alliances with Western and regional powers, challenging traditional dependencies.
Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), achieved a significant victory in the country’s inaugural Senate election, capturing 45 of the 46 contested seats. This result, which has been partially challenged by the opposition, consolidates President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s authority in the nation. Deby, who ascended to power after the death of his father in 2021, previously secured 61% of the vote in a contentious presidential election held in May.
The recent Senate election followed a legislative election in December that was boycotted by numerous opposition members, reinforcing MPS’s dominance with a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. The only opposition seat in the Senate was won by the National Rally of Chadian Democrats (RNDT), led by former Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacke, who expressed concerns over the integrity of the voting process in Moundou.
The Senate will consist of 46 indirectly elected senators, chosen by municipal and provincial councillors, alongside 23 senators to be appointed by the president. Senators will serve six-year terms, with the possibility of renewal. Since Deby took office, Chad has experienced a strategic shift in international relations, notably ending a defense cooperation agreement with France and contemplating the withdrawal from a multinational security force in the Lake Chad area.
These actions mirror trends in other West African countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where similar shifts have occurred following recent coups. Deby’s administration appears to be distancing itself from traditional Western alliances while possibly seeking closer ties with alternative powers like Russia, amid growing regional instability.
In conclusion, the ruling MPS party’s overwhelming success in the Senate election reinforces President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s control over Chad. As the nation navigates complex relationships with foreign powers and responds to internal opposition, the political landscape will be critical in shaping Chad’s future governance and international alliances. The implications of these results extend beyond domestic politics and into broader regional dynamics.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
