The final presidential debate held on Friday, 19 September 2025, has been described as a success by participating candidates, who praised the platform for giving them the opportunity to share their vision for Seychelles ahead of the elections.
Mr Maarco Francis commended the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) for hosting what he called a “very good debate,” adding: “I thank SBC for doing a great job. At the end of the day, it depends on the Seychellois people, and I ask them to make the right decision.”
Echoing the sentiment, Mr Kisnan Louise highlighted the importance of unity over division. “It was a good debate and everybody participated to the maximum. What’s important is that we have to tell the people what we want for the country. I don’t believe we should be greedy with power. I believe in shared power where we can all work together in this small Seychelles. We might have our differences, but the vision has to be for Seychelles,” shares Louise.
Mr Alain St. Ange expressed that the debate offered candidates a constructive platform to present their plans to the electorate. “The candidates who came forward brought a vision to tell the country what they would do if in power. All my fellow candidates brought constructive points on how to make Seychelles better. That is what’s important, rather than going to rallies and disrespecting other candidates. For us, it’s important that Seychellois face each other. It’s no longer time to hide and say disrespectful things. I think I did a great job in presenting the vision of our party.”
Mr Ralph Volcère noted that format changes improved his experience. “This time it went quite well because they added two more minutes to the debate. Though it’s not enough, you still get a few more seconds, so I was more satisfied. In the last debate, they tried to stop me from speaking, so this time I came prepared mentally. I had to fight back until they had to let me speak out.”
For Mr Patrick Herminie, the debate was an important exercise in democracy, but he pointed to missed opportunities. “It is a good exercise, but there were many subjects we didn’t get to debate on, such as the civil service that isn’t functioning, and the environment, which is an important subject, especially for the youth. It’s sad that these questions didn’t come up. And then there was the absence of Mr Ramkalawan was supposed to defend the situations that exist today. Yet we are here to talk about changes or a continuation on the 27th.”
The debate marked the last in the series leading up to the general elections, as candidates now turn their focus to persuading the electorate before polls open.
