Seychelles People's Progressive Front
Encyclopedia
The People's Party is a socialist political party
in Seychelles
. It publishes a newspaper called The People. It was known as the Seychelles People's Progressive Front until June 2009.
The SPPF was founded in 1964 by France-Albert René
, under the name Seychelles People's United Party, and it has been led by him since its inception. The SPUP/SPPF has been the ruling party since 1977 and was the sole legal party in the country from 1979 to 1991 (this period is referred to retrospectively as the "Second Republic"). The SPPF is led by a Central Executive Committee.
Leading members of the party over the years have been René, James Michel
(formerly the chief of staff of the armed forces, information minister, finance minister and vice president from 1996-2004; he is currently the President of Seychelles), Guy Sinon, Jacques Hodoul
(a former foreign minister who was regarded as the party's chief ideologue), Joseph Belmont
(the current Vice President of Seychelles), and Maxime Ferrari (a former René loyalist who later supported the opposition and wrote an autobiography).
During the era of one-party rule, the party was funded by dues paid by its members and from foreign governments including Tanzania
, Algeria
, Libya
and East Germany.
The party maintains branches in each electoral district and utilizes an extensive system of patronage. At the last elections
on 12 May 2007, the party won 56.76 % of the popular vote and 23 out of 34 seats in the National Assembly
.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Seychelles
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
. It publishes a newspaper called The People. It was known as the Seychelles People's Progressive Front until June 2009.
The SPPF was founded in 1964 by France-Albert René
France-Albert René
France-Albert René was the long-time socialist President of Seychelles from 1977 to 2004. He is known by government officials and party members as "the Boss". His name is often given as simply Albert René or F.A...
, under the name Seychelles People's United Party, and it has been led by him since its inception. The SPUP/SPPF has been the ruling party since 1977 and was the sole legal party in the country from 1979 to 1991 (this period is referred to retrospectively as the "Second Republic"). The SPPF is led by a Central Executive Committee.
Leading members of the party over the years have been René, James Michel
James Michel
Colonel James Alix Michel is a Seychellois politician who has been President of Seychelles since April 16, 2004. He previously served as Vice-President under his predecessor, France-Albert René, from 1996 to 2004...
(formerly the chief of staff of the armed forces, information minister, finance minister and vice president from 1996-2004; he is currently the President of Seychelles), Guy Sinon, Jacques Hodoul
Jacques Hodoul
Jacques Hodoul is a Seychellois judge and former politician. After serving as minister of education and culture,, p.70 he served as foreign minister from 1979 to 1982. He was the leader of the Seychelles Movement for Democracy which he founded in 1991...
(a former foreign minister who was regarded as the party's chief ideologue), Joseph Belmont
Joseph Belmont
Joseph Belmont is a Seychellois politician who was the Vice President of the Seychelles from 16 April 2004 until his retirement on 30 June 2010. He took office after President France-Albert René stepped down and the previous Vice-President, James Michel, replaced René as President...
(the current Vice President of Seychelles), and Maxime Ferrari (a former René loyalist who later supported the opposition and wrote an autobiography).
During the era of one-party rule, the party was funded by dues paid by its members and from foreign governments including Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
and East Germany.
The party maintains branches in each electoral district and utilizes an extensive system of patronage. At the last elections
Seychellois parliamentary election, 2007
A parliamentary election was held in Seychelles from 10 May until 12 May 2007. The result was a landslide victory for the ruling Seychelles People's Progressive Front, which held all 23 of its seats in the 34 seat National Assembly.-Results:...
on 12 May 2007, the party won 56.76 % of the popular vote and 23 out of 34 seats in the National Assembly
National Assembly of Seychelles
The unicameral National Assembly of Seychelles is the country's legislative body.The current National Assembly, formed following elections held on 4, 5, and 6 December 2002, has a total of 34 members. 25 members are elected in single member constituencies using the simple majority system...
.
External links
- Seychelles People's Progressive Front
- Website of The People newspaper and SPPF Museum (pro-René; he formerly edited the publication)