This 'electoral bet' was put forward by the party president himself, João Lourenço. Not mentioning names, the MPLA leader added that the decision is the result of Bornito de Sousa's intention not to re-candidate for the position – by his will – expressed by the still Vice-President of the Republic.
"It is obvious that the current Vice-President of the Republic has not been reappointed to the same position he holds today, a fact that is due to the intention expressed by him at the beginning of the present term and which we respect, proposing another, in this case a candidate for the position of Vice-President of the Republic", stated João Lourenço.
In the bid for number two on the lists, the name of Esperança Costa, current Secretary of State for Fisheries, is one of the most talked about among party militants, already replicated in the media.
At the opening of the ordinary meeting of the MPLA Central Committee, the lists of candidates for deputies to the National Assembly, which necessarily include the name of João Lourenço, but also that of Bornito de Sousa, were analysed. Candidates for president of the National Assembly, as well as deputies to the national and provincial circles, also form part of the same lists.
With regard to the governmental proposal, João Lourenço reiterated the commitment of his first term in the fight against corruption and impunity. He also emphasized the need to create a better business environment in the country, attract direct private investment and diversify that investment.
The party's guiding plan for the next term, if elected to the Government, will also include an increase in domestic production, the need to reduce imports and an increase in exports.
At the end of the Committee's meeting, taking place in Luanda, the lists with the names proposed by the MPLA will be presented for the general elections, scheduled for August and to be convened shortly by the President of the Republic.
João Lourenço highlighted that the country is about three months away from holding the fifth general elections, which he hopes “will have a large participation of voters who are in legal conditions to exercise the right to choose their representatives in the National Assembly and the President" .
“Although it is a process that takes place every five years and, therefore, should be seen as routines, the truth is that, due to the importance it has for the consolidation of our democracy and for the lives of citizens, it always creates a lot of expectation. and anxiety about how it will unfold and the results that are expected of it”, stressed João Lourenço.
On the occasion, the president of the ruling party took the opportunity to thank the militants, friends and sympathizers of the MPLA, “for the work that has been carried out with a spirit of total dedication to the cause, from Cabinda to Cunene without exception , during this pre-campaign period".
