The Seychelles is preparing for a high-stakes presidential election. Incumbent president Wavel Ramkalawan, leader of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS), is seeking a second term. Twenty years spent in opposition forged him into a symbol of change in 2020, but five years in power now compel him to defend a record under scrutiny. With the official launch of the campaign on August 21, 2025, the archipelago was immediately swept by electoral fervour. Posters on district poles, political rallies, and a record 8 candidates in the running, representing both major parties and independents, set the tone.
In October 2020, Ramkalawan made history by winning the presidential race with 54.91% of the vote, marking the first peaceful transfer of power since independence in 1976. His arrival was hailed as a democratic turning point. Five years later, his mandate is judged as mixed. Achievements include progress on environmental issues, promotion of sustainable tourism, improvement of renewable energy at the national level, and a declared fight against corruption and drug trafficking. All of these count in his favour. But criticisms remain: the high cost of living, persistent social inequalities, the ongoing drug crisis, and a political about-face in reconciling with former president James Michel, which cost him influential allies such as Bernard Sullivan. Added to this is a nearly non-existent international profile, aside from ties with the United Arab Emirates. Ramkalawan, therefore, enters this election weakened, forced to prove he is still the man of change.
The main opposition party, United Seychelles (US), was deeply weakened in 2020. Its defeat in the presidential race, the loss of its parliamentary majority and executive power, was a severe blow. For 2025, the party is playing the renewal card with Patrick Herminie, former Speaker of the National Assembly, alongside Sébastien Pillay as running mate. But this time, the US finds itself in the unusual position of challenger, after long being the country’s dominant force. Herminie is trying to present himself as a serious outsider, able to give a new voice to a party still struggling to recover.
While the LDS vs US duel remains central, the fragmentation of the political field could reshape the contest. Alain St Ange is back on the scene. In 2020, he won only 1.6% of the vote (1,021 ballots), but this time he shows greater ambition, banking on his technocratic image in tourism and his discourse on national sovereignty. Ralph Volcère, a familiar figure in Seychellois politics, had previously run in legislative elections in the Roche Caïman district. His presidential candidacy aims to build on that local base. Maarco Francis, the “newcomer,” is attracting particular attention. An entrepreneur and former president of the Chamber of Commerce, he is relying on a heavily digital campaign, with a strong presence on social media. His marketing portrays him as the “saviour of the nation,” appealing to younger voters in search of alternatives. However, his campaign has been slowed by several controversies, including an unaddressed rumour about the authenticity of his academic credentials.
The 2025 election is shaping up as a multi-layered battle. Ramkalawan (LDS) must prove he has not lost the trust of his electorate despite a mixed record. Herminie (US) will attempt to bring his party back into the race, capitalising on latent discontent. The outsiders hope to seize on fragmentation and voter fatigue with the major parties to carve out new political ground. The real unknown lies in whether independents and new parties can mobilise beyond their narrow bases. If they succeed in rallying disillusioned voters, they could turn this election into a de facto runoff, where victory will be determined by which of the two major parties, LDS or US, loses the fewest supporters.
