Politics & Government Guide in Cape Verde

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions

Cape Verde is a stable semi-presidential democracy with a strong track record of competitive elections and peaceful transfers of power between the two major parties. The country ranks among the top performers in Africa for democratic governance and civil liberties protection, with universal suffrage and an independent judiciary.

Political Stability

Moderate

Democracy Index

Good

Government Type

Semi-presidential republic

Legal System

Mixed legal system based on Portuguese civil law and customary law

Head of State

President Jose Maria Pereira Neves(since 2021)

Head of Government

Prime Minister Jose Ulisses Correia e Silva(Movement for Democracy)since 2016

Political Indicators

Political Stability

0.72

Scale: 0-1

Stable

World Bank Political Stability Index (2024)

Press Freedom

18.5Rank #29

Scale: 0-100

Good

Reporters Without Borders (2024)

Democracy Index

7.71

Scale: 0-10

Full Democracy

Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)

Legislature

Type:unicameral

Lower House:National Assembly (72 seats)

Major Political Parties

Movement for Democracy(MPD)

Center-right

African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde(PAICV)

Center-left

People, Labor, and Solidarity Party(PTS)

Left

Voting Rights

All citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote. Voting is universal and direct for presidential elections and National Assembly elections.

Recent Developments

Presidential election scheduled for October 2026
Ongoing efforts by the People, Labor, and Solidarity Party to break the two-party political system dominance
Continued democratic stability with competitive elections and periodic transfers of power between rival parties

Voting Age18

SuffrageUniversal

Constitution1980

Municipalities22