The 2025 presidential campaign continues to deliver its share of surprises. After boycotting the first-round debates, incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan is now demanding a televised face-off with his opponent, Patrick Herminie, who came out on top with 48.8% of the vote. But the United Seychelles (US) leader seems reluctant to accept this duel, which he considers offensive to the six other candidates.
It should be recalled that Ramkalawan declined the SBC’s invitation to the first-round debates, arguing that only candidates with at least 26 contenders in the legislative elections should be allowed to participate. The SBC rejected this position, maintaining that the debate would remain open to all candidates. Faced with this refusal, the incumbent president officially decided not to attend, leaving the stage to his opponents. Now qualified for the runoff against Herminie, Ramkalawan is calling for a one-on-one debate, which he presents as essential to inform voters before the decisive ballot. “I am ready for the fight, let’s do it clean,” he declared at the ECS result announcement.
Patrick Herminie, however, remains cautious. When asked about his rival’s invitation, he explained that he would first consult the six other first-round candidates so as not to offend those who had agreed to debate in Ramkalawan’s absence. This was a way of reminding voters that his opponent had not respected the original rules of the game. According to a source close to his camp, Herminie has, in fact, already made up his mind: he will not take part in this face-to-face. “The time for discussion is over; it is now up to the people to decide,” the source said. The incumbent’s reaction was swift. Frustrated by the refusal, he branded his opponent a “coward” and a “kapon,” accusing Herminie of dodging the ultimate test of truth.
With less than a few days to go before the runoff, the absence of a televised duel will not deprive voters of a anything they did not know to arrived at a final decision for whom to vote.
