Linyon Demokratik Seselwa
Seychellois Democratic Alliance/Union Linyon Demokratik Seselwa | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Wavel Ramkalawan |
| Founders | Roger Mancienne Wavel Ramkalawan |
| Founded | 8 April 2016 |
| Ideology | Liberalism Economic liberalism[1] |
| Political position | Centre |
| National Assembly | 15 / 34 |
| Website | |
| ldssesel | |
Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (lit. 'Seychellois Democratic Alliance/Union', LDS) is a liberal[2] political coalition which has governed from 2020 to 2025 in the Seychelles. Their coalition was originally made up of the four main opposition parties: the Seychelles National Party (SNP) led by Wavel Ramkalawan, the Seychellois Alliance (LS) led by Patrick Pillay, the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy led by Alexia Amesbury and the Seychelles United Party led by Robert Ernesta. The Seychellois Alliance left the coalition in February 2018 after the resignation of their leader Patrick Pillay as speaker and member of the National Assembly in January 2018.[3]
Seychelles opposition candidate Wavel Ramkalawan (LDS) won in the 2020 Seychellois general election with 54.9 percent of valid votes cast, upsetting incumbent President Danny Faure. The opposition won its first presidential poll in over 40 years since Seychelles gained independence from Britain. LDS received also a clear majority (25 out of 35 seats) in the National Assembly.[4][5]
On 28 July 2024, Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles, became leader of the LDS, replacing Roger Mancienne.[6]
In October 2025, Seychelles' main opposition leader Patrick Herminie won the presidential election, defeating incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan in a runoff with 52.7% of the vote, compared with Ramkalawan's 47.3%.[7]
Election results
Presidential elections
| Election | Party candidate | Votes | % | Votes | % | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First round | Second round | |||||
| 2020 | Wavel Ramkalawan | 35,562 | 54.91% | – | – | Elected |
| 2025 | 29,230 | 46.44% | 30,823 | 47.27 | Lost | |
National Assembly elections
| Election | Party leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Roger Mancienne | 30,444 | 49.59% | 19 / 33
|
New | 1st | Opposition |
| 2020 | 35,202 | 54.84% | 25 / 35
|
6 | 1st | Government | |
| 2025 | Wavel Ramkalawan | 28,159 | 44.81% | 15 / 34
|
10 | 2nd | Opposition |
See also
References
- ^ https://africaelects.com/seychelles/
- ^ Künzler, Daniel (January 2018). "The "socialist revolution" in the Seychelles" (PDF). Sozialpolitik.ch. 1: 11. doi:10.18753/2297-8224-104.
- ^ Ernesta, Sharon (15 February 2018). "Divorce on Valentine's Day: Seychellois political party Lalyans Seselwa leaves opposition coalition". Seychelles News Agency. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- ^ "Seychelles opposition candidate wins presidential election".
- ^ "EISA Seychelles: 2020 National Assembly election results overview".
- ^ "Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan elected leader of ruling Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party". www.seychellesnewsagency.com. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
- ^ "Seychelles presidential election: Opposition leader Patrick Herminie defeats Wavel Ramkalawan". www.bbc.com. 12 October 2025.