Angolan opposition demands local election timelines and constitutional reform

Opposition parties in Angola are demanding concrete timelines and legislative measures for the implementation of local government elections. Leaders from PRA-JÁ Servir Angola, the Social Renewal Party (PRS), and the Democratic Block have criticized the government for a perceived lack of political will, noting that the absence of clear indicators and legal frameworks prevents the realization of local power.

Simultaneously, the main opposition party, UNITA, is contesting the current constitutional model that requires the President of the Republic and the National Assembly to be elected using a single ballot. UNITA leader Adalberto Costa Júnior argues that this “atypical Constitution” causes instability and prevents the direct election of the President. He contends that the current system allows partisan interests to override national interests and enables the ruling MPLA to exert undue influence over the legislative branch.