Mozambique Elections: Televised debates with presidential candidates begin

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Mozambique Elections: Televised debates with presidential candidates begin

4:01 CAT | 09 Jul 2024

FILE - The first dialogue has as guest Lutero Simango, candidate for President of the Republic supported by the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third-largest political party in Mozambique, and also the one in the first position on the ballot paper, [File photo: O País]

The first television debate between the public and the presidential candidates in Mozambique’s October elections begins today, the organisers saying that the initiative aims to “provide space for the public presentation of the ideas” of the four competitors.

The first dialogue has as guest Lutero Simango, candidate for President of the Republic supported by the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third-largest political party in Mozambique, and also the one in the first position on the ballot paper, according to a statement from the Forum of Reflection and Public Policies (Forepp), the organizing entity.

The debates will take place in the lecture theatre of the Polytechnic University in Maputo, and will be broadcast live on the private television channel STV from 5:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. Lisbon time), the statement adds.

“The candidates will address their main ideas in the most varied fields of life in the country, including the economy, culture, social communication and defence and security. Over around two hours, in addition to presenting what they think about Mozambique, they will also answer questions posed by members of a panel of experts and members of the public,” a note from the organisation reads.

In addition to the Polytechnic University and STV, the dialogues take place in partnership with the Kaleidoscopio Public Policy Research Centre.

On June 24, the Constitutional Council approved for the position of President of the Republic the candidacies of Daniel Chapo, supported by the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), the party in power; Ossufo Momade, supported by Renamo, the largest opposition party; Lutero Simango, supported by the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third-largest parliamentary force; and Venâncio Mondlane, supported by CAD.

The presidential elections on October 9 take place simultaneously with legislative elections and elections for governors and provincial assemblies.

The current President of the Republic and of Frelimo, Filipe Nyusi, is constitutionally prevented from running again for the position, as he is currently serving his second term as head of state, after being elected in 2015 and 2019.

Source: Lusa