Almost certain that he could lose the December 1 elections, Francisco Tavares, candidate for the MpD, tries to encourage the base with reheated promises

Francisco Tavares, who has held a leading position in local politics since 2012, faces a challenging scenario in this year's elections. Candidate Amandio Brito, supported by the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), has shown strong popular support, which has put Tavares and the MpD in a vulnerable position. According to local sources, disillusionment with the MpD's management and a series of difficulties in fulfilling previous promises have contributed to a growing sense of uncertainty among Bravense voters.

The island has been experiencing times of great political instability. The MPD, a party that has been the basis of much of Cape Verde's politics since the advent of democracy, has seen its popular support decline in several regions, and Brava is no exception. In Brava, discouragement is already beginning to spread among activists and voters who had supported the party in past elections. The MPD base, which has historically been seen as one of the most loyal and engaged, now finds itself in a dilemma: continue to believe in a project of change that seems to have failed to materialize or enlist in the opposition forces, which are gaining strength as the election approaches.

Aware that the campaign is far from being an easy path, Francisco Tavares has been working hard to bring back enthusiasm to his base. Recently, the candidate participated in a series of motivational meetings, seeking to reinforce the importance of unity around his candidacy, and has been preaching the message that his experience in municipal management will be essential to bring Brava back to the path of development.

In impassioned speeches, Tavares has shown confidence that, despite the difficulties, the MpD will be able to reverse the trend and win the trust of the people of Brava. However, in recent weeks, his attempts to reverse the discouragement have been met with a scenario of growing distrust. Many political observers point out that, instead of an increase in support, the MpD's campaign has been characterized by a lack of clear articulation, by a political discourse that seems disconnected from the urgent needs of the people of Brava, and by the lack of a concrete proposal to improve the island's most pressing problems, such as unemployment, health, education, transportation and the lack of infrastructure.

With the campaign clearly showing signs of wear and tear and the growing demobilization among his supporters, Tavares has tried to show confidence, but the pressure on the candidate has been evident. Brava, one of the smallest islands in Cape Verde, has seen a flight of young people and a shrinking population, which is also affecting the electoral dynamics. The challenges faced by Brava in terms of modernizing its infrastructure and improving its quality of life are sensitive issues that have been constantly raised by the opposition. The MpD, for its part, is still trying to respond to criticism that it has not been able to provide real solutions to these problems.

Furthermore, the growing dissatisfaction of some sectors of the population with the party has led to the mobilization of other opposition candidates, mainly from the PAICV, which is emerging as a strong candidate for the City Council. The opposition party seems to have capitalized on local dissatisfaction, seeking to show that the unfulfilled promises of the MpD are more than enough reason to seek a new alternative for local government.

What is at stake in the December 1 elections is not just control of Brava’s city council, but also the island’s political future. Should the MpD suffer a defeat at the polls, it could be a significant blow to the party, which may have to rethink its strategy in Cape Verde. For Tavares, who also feels that this is a testing moment for his political leadership, the campaign has become a race against time.

Despite signs of demobilization and the difficulty in maintaining his support base, Francisco Tavares seems determined to fight until the end, betting on a renewed effort in the last weeks before the vote. However, the scenario remains uncertain, and Brava could witness a much more disputed election than expected, with a political future that promises to be deeply impacted by the results of this election.

Wording