Opposition leader Patrick Herminie has been elected President of Seychelles after defeating incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan in a tightly contested run-off vote, the country’s electoral commission announced early Sunday.
Herminie, 62, secured 52.7% of the vote, while Ramkalawan garnered 47.3%, according to official results.
The victory marks a major comeback for Herminie and hands his United Seychelles Party full control of government, following its parliamentary majority win in last month’s general election.
Speaking after his victory, Herminie thanked voters for their confidence and vowed to govern for all Seychellois.
“The people have spoken,” he said.
“I am deeply humbled by the trust that the people have placed in me. I will be the president of all Seychellois and will end divisions by giving everyone an equal opportunity to thrive.”
Herminie pledged to lower the cost of living, revive public services, and promote national unity.
He also promised to tackle corruption, cancel a controversial hotel project criticized by environmentalists, and implement reforms recommended by the country’s truth and reconciliation commission.
Herminie previously served as Speaker of Parliament from 2007 to 2016 and headed Seychelles’s anti-drug agency.
His campaign focused on addressing economic challenges and the country’s severe heroin crisis, which affects thousands in the island nation of about 120,000 people.
Ramkalawan, who attended the announcement of the results, graciously conceded defeat and congratulated his successor.
“I leave with a legacy that makes many presidents blush. I hope President Herminie continues to maintain such a level,” he said.
The run-off followed a first round two weeks ago in which no candidate secured an outright majority.
Herminie’s victory ends Ramkalawan’s five-year tenure, which was marked by efforts to rebuild the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.