A coalition of opposition groups in Guinea-Bissau has won a majority of seats in parliament in the first legislative elections since President Umaro Sissoco Embalo dissolved the National People’s Assembly more than a year ago.
According to results announced by the electoral commission on Thursday, the five-party Terra Ranka, a coalition led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, PAIGC, won 54 of 102 seats in Sunday’s polls, ahead of Embalo’s Madem G15 party, which picked up 29,
The Party for Social Renewal, PRS won 12 seats, the Workers’ Party six seats and the Assembly of the People United one seat.
Over 20 political parties and coalitions sparred for seats in the elections that will restore parliament after a 13-month absence.
Under the current political system, the majority party or coalition appoints the government, but the president has the power to dismiss it in certain circumstances.
That has led to political deadlock and infighting in the past.
