João Lourenço, who ran for a second term, reacted thus to the announcement of the final results of the National Electoral Commission (CNE) that gave victory to the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), with 51.17 percent of the votes, against 43, 95 percent of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).
Questioning by journalists about the loss of votes, since in 2017, the MPLA won with 61 percent, João Lourenço denied that these were the worst results ever, as the party emerged victorious.
"We didn't have the worst results because we won, if we had the worst results, what will the opposition lose, which lost five elections. We won the penta, whoever wins the penta only has reason to open at least five bottles of champagne", said the MPLA leader, continuing with a toast.
João Lourenço underlined that the MPLA won "unequivocally", devaluing the loss of Luanda to rival UNITA as it was about general elections, and not provincial or regional "and much less autarchic".
"What was in dispute was the place of President of the Republic and the seats of deputies in parliament", he said, noting that the MPLA candidate won and that the party guaranteed an absolute majority in parliament.
"Any competitor not only wants more but wants everything, but life is not quite like that, I am satisfied with the results that Angolan voters wanted to give both to the MPLA and to me as a candidate", he added.
In his victory speech, read at the party's headquarters in Luanda, João Lourenço emphasized "the victory of humility, seriousness and stability", thanking the Angolans for their confidence and promising to continue "working on the economic and social development of the country and on the well-being of Angolans".
He also thanked the party's militants, national and international observers who followed the vote and the CNE "which allowed Angolans to choose their future through democratic means".
"The victory of the MPLA means, for Angola and for Angolans, an executive that assumes its political commitments with courage and responsibility, an executive that is not afraid to break with the established powers and make the necessary changes", also mentioned in his speech.
João Lourenço promised to be "the President of the Republic of all Angolans" and to pay attention to the "anxieties of the people and youth".
"This is the time to open doors of opportunity to our young people, to restore prosperity and to promote peace," he declared.
He finally highlighted that "the level of organization, the massive presence of observers and the free media coverage of the elections" allowed the international community to recognize the elections "as having been free, fair and transparent".
