Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), won 45 out of 46 Senate seats in the first Senate election, solidifying President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s rule. Former Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacke’s RNDT party claimed the remaining seat but protested alleged election irregularities. Déby has disrupted military ties with France, reflecting a wider regional trend of shifting alliances.
In a significant electoral development, Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) party has reportedly secured 45 of the 46 available Senate seats in the nation’s inaugural Senate election. This outcome, though partially disputed by the main opposition party, further consolidates President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s authority since he assumed power following his father’s death in 2021. The election results also follow a legislative vote in December, where many opposition members abstained, allowing the MPS to achieve a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.
The National Rally of Chadian Democrats (RNDT), headed by former Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacke, managed to claim one Senate seat. Mr. Padacke voiced concerns about alleged irregularities related to ballots in Moundou, Chad’s second-largest city. The Senate will comprise 46 indirectly elected senators, chosen by municipal and provincial councillors, while an additional 23 senators will be appointed directly by the president, serving renewable six-year terms.
In recent political developments, President Déby has altered Chad’s military alliances, notably severing a longstanding defense cooperation pact with France, leading to the withdrawal of French troops. This shift mirrors broader regional trends, with countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso also distancing themselves from France while enhancing ties with Russia, following a series of coups in West and Central Africa.
The recent Senate elections in Chad underscore the consolidation of power by President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s ruling party, following a series of contested electoral processes. The overwhelming victory of the MPS reflects significant opposition disengagement and hints at potential challenges to democratic processes in the country. Moreover, the ongoing shifts in military alliances indicate a transformative phase in Chad’s foreign relations amidst regional geopolitical changes.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
