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{{Politics of Cape Verde}}
'''Politics of Cape Verde''' takes place in a framework of a [[Semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]],<ref name="SpL">{{cite journal |last1=Neto |first1=Octávio Amorim |last2=Lobo |first2=Marina Costa |year=2010 |ssrn=1644026 |title=Between Constitutional Diffusion and Local Politics: Semi-Presidentialism in Portuguese-Speaking Countries |publisher=[[Social Science Research Network]] |journal=APSA 2010 Annual Meeting Paper}}</ref> whereby the [[Prime Minister of Cape Verde]] is the [[head of government]] and the [[List of heads of state of Cape Verde|President of the Republic of Cape Verde]] is the [[head of state]], and of a [[multi-party system]].<ref name="CRCV">{{cite web |url=http://www.parlamento.cv/Downloads/Constituição%20da%20República%20de%20Cabo%20verde,%202010.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.parlamento.cv/Downloads/Constituição%20da%20República%20de%20Cabo%20verde,%202010.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |year=2010 |language=pt |title=Constituição da República de Cabo Verde |access-date=2014-06-07}}</ref><ref name=constitution>{{cite web|url=http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/CapeVerde.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/CapeVerde.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Constitution of Cape Verde|year=1992|access-date=2011-03-20}}</ref> [[Executive power]] is exercised by the [[President of Cape Verde|president]] and the [[Cabinet of Cape Verde|government]]. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the government and the [[National Assembly of Cape Verde|National Assembly]]. The [[judiciary]] is independent of the executive and the legislature.

The constitution, first approved in 1980 and substantially revised in 1992, forms the basis of government organization. It declares that the government is the "organ that defines, leads, and executes the general internal and external policy of the country" and is responsible to the National Assembly.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cape Verde 1980 (rev. 1992)|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cape_Verde_1992?lang=en|website=Constitute|access-date=22 April 2015}}</ref> The first multi-party presidential and parliamentary elections were held in 1991.<ref>{{Citation |chapter=The Fate of Africa's Democratic Experiments 1989–2014|date=2015|title=Democracy in Africa: Successes, Failures, and the Struggle for Political Reform|pages=234–238|editor-last=Cheeseman|editor-first=Nic|chapter-url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/democracy-in-africa/fate-of-africas-democratic-experiments-19892014/DA50F32498C1D14DF4AAA43175265455|publisher=Cambridge University Press|doi=10.1017/CBO9781139030892.009|isbn=978-0-521-13842-0|chapter-url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Prior to 1991, Cape Verde was a [[One-party state|single-party state]]. Since 1991, Cape Verde politics has been characterized by competition between [[African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde|PAICV]] and [[Movement for Democracy (Cape Verde)|MpD]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Meyns |first=Peter |date=2002 |title=Cape Verde: An African Exception |url=https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.2002.0049 |journal=Journal of Democracy |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=153–165 |doi=10.1353/jod.2002.0049 |issn=1086-3214|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
[[File:Constituição de Cabo Verde (MG 2885).jpg|thumb|Constitution of Cape Verde.|267x267px]]

==Political conditions==
Following independence in 1975, the [[African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde]] (PAIGC) established a one-party political system. This became the [[African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde]] (PAICV) in 1980, as Cape Verde sought to distance itself from [[Guinea-Bissau]], following unrest in that country.

In 1991, following growing pressure for a more pluralistic society, multi-party elections [[1991 Cape Verdean parliamentary election|were held for the first time]]. The opposition party, the [[Movement for Democracy (Cape Verde)|Movement for Democracy]] (''Movimento para a Democracia'', MpD), won the legislative elections, and formed the government. The MpD candidate also defeated the PAICV candidate in the presidential elections. In the 1996 elections, the MpD increased their majority, but in the 2001 the PAICV returned to power, winning both the Legislative and the Presidential elections.

Generally, Cape Verde enjoys a stable democratic system. The elections have been considered free and fair, there is a free press, and the rule of law is respected by the State. In acknowledgment of this, [[Freedom House]] granted Cape Verde two first places in its annual [[Freedom in the World]] report, a perfect score. It is the only African country to receive this score.<ref name="Freedom House country and territory ratings 1973-2020">{{cite web |last1=House |first1=Freedom |title=Freedom in the World |url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world |website=Freedom House |access-date=22 July 2020 |location=Country and Territory Ratings and Statuses, 1973-2020 |language=en}}</ref> {{Democracy Index rating|Cape Verde|flawed democracy|2023}} It is also the most electorally democratic and the third-most liberally democratic nation in Africa in the [[V-Dem Democracy Indices]].

The Prime Minister is the head of the government and as such proposes other ministers and secretaries of state. The Prime Minister is nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the President.<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Cabo Verde|date=November 10, 2021}}</ref> The President is the head of state and is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the most recent elections were held in 2021.

Also in the legislative branch, the [[National Assembly of Cape Verde|National Assembly]] (''Assembleia Nacional'') has 72 members, elected for a five-year term by [[proportional representation]].

Movement for Democracy (MpD) ousted the ruling African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) for the first time in 15 years in the [[2016 Cape Verdean parliamentary election|2016 parliamentary election]]. The leader of MpD, [[Ulisses Correia e Silva]] has been prime minister since 2016. [[Jorge Carlos Fonseca|Jorge Carlos Almeida Fonseca]] was [[2011 Cape Verdean presidential election|elected]] president in August 2011 and [[2016 Cape Verdean presidential election|re-elected]] in October 2016. He is also supported by MpD.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13148486|title = Cape Verde country profile|work = BBC News|date = 5 December 2018}}</ref>

In April 2021, the ruling centre-right Movement for Democracy (MpD) of Prime Minister [[Ulisses Correia e Silva]], won the parliamentary [[2021 Cape Verdean parliamentary election|election]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.africanews.com/2021/04/19/cape-verde-ruling-party-retains-power-after-winning-legislative-vote/|title = Cape Verde ruling party retains power after winning legislative vote|date = 19 April 2021}}</ref> In October 2021, opposition candidate and former prime minister, [[José Maria Neves]] of PAICV, won Cape Verde's presidential election.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/opposition-candidate-neves-wins-cape-verde-election-2021-10-18/|title=Opposition candidate Neves wins Cape Verde election|first=Julio|last=Rodrigues|newspaper=Reuters |date=October 18, 2021|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref> On 9 November 2021, José Maria Neves was sworn in as the new President of Cape Verde.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.africanews.com/2021/11/09/jose-maria-neves-sworn-in-as-new-cape-verde-president/|title=Jose Maria Neves sworn in as new Cape Verde president|date=September 11, 2021|website=Africanews}}</ref>

==Political parties and elections==
{{elect|List of political parties in Cape Verde|Elections in Cape Verde}}

==Courts and criminal law==
The judicial system is composed of the Supreme Court and the regional courts. Of the five Supreme Court judges, one is appointed by the President, one by the National Assembly, and three by the Superior Judiciary Council. This council consists of the President of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, eight private citizens, two judges, two prosecutors, the senior legal inspector of the Attorney General's office, and a representative of the Ministry of Justice. Judges are independent and may not belong to a political party. In October 2000, a female judge who was known for taking strict legal measures in cases of domestic violence was transferred from the capital to the countryside. Separate courts hear civil, constitutional and criminal cases. Appeal is to the Supreme Court. Reforms to strengthen an overburdened judiciary were implemented in 1998. Free legal counsel is provided to indigents, defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and trials are public. Judges must lay charges within 24 hours of arrests. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary, and the government generally respects this provision in practice. The constitution provides for the right to a fair trial and due process, and an independent judiciary usually enforces this right. Unlike in the previous year, there were no reports of politicization and biased judgement in the judiciary. Cases involving former public office holders still are under investigation. For example, investigations continued in the case of the former prime minister accused of embezzlement in the privatization of ENACOL (a parastatal oil supply firm) in which he allegedly embezzled approximately $16,250 (2 million Cape Verdean escudos) from the buyers of the parastatal. The case of four persons accused of church desecration in 1996 also was under investigation. These individuals filed a complaint with the Attorney General against the judiciary police for alleged fabrication of evidence.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/africa/cape_verde.html |title=Cape Verde |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041224182853/http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/africa/cape_verde.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2004}}</ref>

The constitution provides for the right to a fair trial. Defendants are presumed to be innocent; they have the right to a public, non-jury trial; to counsel; to present witnesses; and to appeal verdicts. Regional courts adjudicate minor disputes on the local level in rural areas. The Ministry of Justice does not have judicial powers; such powers lie with the courts.<ref name=":0" />

The judiciary generally provides due process rights; however, the right to an expeditious trial is constrained by a seriously overburdened and understaffed judicial system. A backlog of cases routinely leads to trial delays of 6 months or more; more than 10,780 cases were pending at year's end. In addition the right of victims to compensation and recovery for pain and mental suffering are overlooked, due both to the low damage assessments imposed and ineffective enforcement of court sentences.

==Administrative divisions==
Cape Verde is divided into 22 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho): [[Boa Vista, Cape Verde|Boa Vista]], [[Brava, Cape Verde|Brava]], [[Maio, Cape Verde|Maio]], [[Mosteiros, Cape Verde|Mosteiros]], [[Paul, Cape Verde|Paul]], [[Porto Novo, Cape Verde (municipality)|Porto Novo]], [[Praia]], [[Ribeira Grande, Cape Verde|Ribeira Grande]], [[Ribeira Grande de Santiago]], [[Sal, Cape Verde|Sal]], [[Santa Catarina, Cape Verde|Santa Catarina]], [[Santa Catarina do Fogo]], [[Santa Cruz, Cape Verde|Santa Cruz]], [[São Domingos, Cape Verde|São Domingos]], [[São Filipe, Cape Verde|São Filipe]], [[São Lourenço dos Órgãos]], [[São Miguel, Cape Verde|São Miguel]], [[São Nicolau, Cape Verde|São Nicolau]], [[São Salvador do Mundo]], [[São Vicente, Cape Verde|São Vicente]], [[Tarrafal, Cape Verde|Tarrafal]], [[Tarrafal de São Nicolau]].

==Voting rights for non citizens==
Article 24 of the [[Cape Verde]] Constitution<ref name="CRCV"/> states that 
*alinea 3.: "''Rights not conferred to foreigners and [[wikt:apatrid|apatrid]]s may be attributed to citizens of countries with Portuguese as an official language, except for access to functions of sovereignty organs, service in the armed forces or in the diplomatic career.''"
*alinea 4. "''Active and passive electoral capacity can be attributed by law to foreigners and apatrid residents on the national territory for the elections of the members of the organs of the local municipalities.''"

The website of the governmental Institute of Cape Verde Communities states that such a measure was adopted "''to stimulate reciprocity from host countries of Cape Verdian migrants''".<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ic.cv/cidadania.html
|language=pt
|title=Cidadania
|publisher=Instituto das Comunidades de Cabo Verde
|access-date=2007-12-13 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070814070950/http://www.ic.cv/cidadania.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-08-14}}</ref>

A law nr. 36/V/97 was promulgated on August 25, 1997, regulating the "Statute of Lusophone Citizen", concerning nationals from any country member of the [[Community of Portuguese Language Countries]] (article 2), stating in its article 3 that "''The lusophone citizen with residence in Cape Verde is recognized the active and passive electoral capacity for municipal elections, under conditions of the law. The lusophone citizen with residence in Cape Verde has the right to exercise political activity related to his electoral capacity.''"<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.cplp.org/documentos/7_capitulo/cid_lus.html
 |language=pt
|title=Lei nº36/V/97 - Estatuto de Cidadão Lusófono - Cabo Verde
|publisher="Boletim Oficial", I Série, Nº.32, 25 de Agosto de 1997, Cabo Verde
|access-date=2007-12-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030621075304/http://www.cplp.org/documentos/7_capitulo/cid_lus.html |archive-date = 2003-06-21}}</ref>

==International organization participation==
[[Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique|ACCT]], [[ACP (Lomé Convention)|ACP]], [[African Development Bank|AfDB]], [[African Union|AU]], [[Customs Coordination Council|CCC]], [[United Nations Economic Commission for Africa|ECA]], [[Economic Community of West African States|ECOWAS]], [[Food and Agriculture Organization|FAO]], [[Group of 77|G-77]], [[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|IBRD]], [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|ICRM]], [[International Development Association|IDA]], [[International Fund for Agricultural Development|IFAD]], [[International Finance Corporation|IFC]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|IFRCS]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]], [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]], [[International Maritime Organization|IMO]], [[Intelsat]], [[Interpol (organization)|Interpol]], [[IOC]], [[International Organization for Migration|IOM]] (observer), [[International Telecommunication Union|ITU]], [[International Trade Union Confederation|ITUC]], [[Non-Aligned Movement|NAM]], [[Organisation of African Unity|OAU]], [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons|OPCW]], [[United Nations|UN]], [[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development|UNCTAD]], [[UNESCO]], [[United Nations Industrial Development Organization|UNIDO]], [[Universal Postal Union|UPU]], [[World Health Organization|WHO]], [[World Intellectual Property Organization|WIPO]], [[World Meteorological Organization|WMO]], [[World Trade Organization|WTO]] (applicant)

==Sources==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.governo.cv/ Government of Cape Verde]
* [http://www.parlamento.cv/ National Assembly of Cape Verde]
* [http://www.presidenciarepublica.cv/ Official site of the President of Cape Verde] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713055020/http://www.presidenciarepublica.cv/ |date=13 July 2011 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111119085309/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-c/cape-verde.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111020115851/http://www.stj.cv/ Supreme Court]
* [http://eeas.europa.eu/cape_verde/index_en.htm EU Relations with Cape Verde]

{{commons category|Politics of Cape Verde}}
{{Cape Verdean elections}}
{{Africa in topic|Politics of}}
{{Cape Verde topics}}

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[[Category:Politics of Cape Verde| ]]