Africa-Press – Cape verde. This Saturday, on the island of Sal, the UCID presented its candidates for the legislative elections scheduled for May 17, advocating for a political alternative—dubbed the “Third Republic”—aimed at combating precariousness and fostering the country’s economic transformation.
During the presentation event, UCID President João Santos Luís asserted that it is “unacceptable” for Cape Verde to import approximately 90% of the goods it consumes; he argued instead for an economic restructuring grounded in domestic production and the leveraging of resources derived from the sun, wind, and sea.
The party leader also proposed reducing the tax burden on domestic companies, as well as bolstering support for the primary sector—specifically agriculture, fisheries, and livestock farming—as a means of stimulating the domestic economy.
On the social front, João Santos Luís advocated for urban renewal initiatives to be undertaken “without regard for political affiliation,” and for the introduction of an exclusivity regime for 30 to 40 percent of physicians in public hospitals, with the aim of reducing waiting lists.
For his part, the UCID’s lead candidate for Sal, Aldirley Gomes, highlighted what he described as a “stark contrast” between the profits generated by the tourism sector and the precarious working conditions faced by laborers.
According to the candidate, the rising cost of living, difficulties in accessing housing, and limitations in basic sanitation infrastructure constitute structural problems on the island—issues he characterized as government failures.
Aldirley Gomes further advocated for the creation of the municipality of Santa Maria and for a political reform that would allow for independent candidacies for the National Assembly.
In the realm of education, he criticized the living conditions of teachers on Sal and called for increased investment in technical training for young people, warning of the attendant risk of social exclusion.
In the legislative elections of May 17, five parties—PAICV, MpD, UCID, PTS, and PP—are vying for the 72 seats in the National Assembly, distributed across 13 electoral districts: ten within the country and three representing the diaspora. In the last legislative elections, held on April 18, 2021, the MpD won an absolute majority, electing 38 deputies, followed by the PAICV with 30 and the UCID with four.
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