In a remarkable political turnaround, Seychelles has elected Patrick Herminie as its new president, ending the five-year tenure of incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan. The run-off election, held on October 12, 2025, saw Herminie of the United Seychelles (US) party secure 52.7% of the vote, as confirmed by the country’s Electoral Commission and widely reported by outlets such as allAfrica and RT. Ramkalawan, seeking a second term after his 2020 victory, received 47.3% of the vote. The results, released late Sunday, capped off a tense and closely watched contest in this small Indian Ocean nation.
This election was necessitated by a first round of voting on September 27, 2025, in which none of the eight candidates managed to secure an outright majority. Herminie, the main opposition leader and former parliamentary speaker, led the initial tally with 48.8%, but fell short of the 50% threshold, setting up a head-to-head contest with Ramkalawan two weeks later. According to allAfrica, the run-off reflected the high stakes and deep divisions within the country’s electorate.
The official figures indicate that 77,045 people were registered to vote in Seychelles, a nation with a population of just over 121,000. The tight race and high turnout underscored the significance of this election, which marks a return to power for the United Seychelles party. The US, which governed Seychelles for over four decades and was the sole legal party from 1979 to 1991, had lost its grip on power in 2015 and again in 2020, when Ramkalawan’s Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) swept to victory.
Herminie’s path to the presidency was anything but straightforward. In 2023, he faced criminal charges of witchcraft—an unusual and controversial accusation in modern Seychellois politics. Herminie consistently maintained that these charges were politically motivated and designed to derail his presidential ambitions. The charges were ultimately dropped in 2024, clearing the way for him to contest the election freely. This episode, as detailed by EMEgypt and RT, became a rallying point for his supporters, who saw the case as emblematic of broader political struggles in the country.
In his victory speech, Herminie struck a conciliatory tone, pledging to be the president of all Seychellois and to end the divisions that have characterized recent years. "I will be the president of all Seychellois, and I will end divisions by ceasing preferences," he declared, emphasizing a commitment to unity and equal opportunity. He further promised to move swiftly on his campaign pledges: reviving the economy, lowering the cost of living, and rebuilding public trust within his first 100 days in office. "My victory marks a new direction," Herminie said, expressing hope that his administration would leave a "profound" legacy centered on national reconciliation.
Outgoing President Ramkalawan, a former Anglican priest who made history in 2020 by breaking the US party’s decades-long hold on power, responded with characteristic grace. Taking to Facebook, he wrote, "I fully respect the will of the people. Let us continue to move forward in unity and with love for our country." His office later confirmed that he and Herminie had met to discuss "key matters relating to the inauguration of the new president… and the importance of ensuring a smooth and peaceful transition of power." This gesture, reported by RT, was widely praised as an example of democratic maturity in the region.
The election’s outcome also reflects broader trends across Africa, where voters have recently shown a willingness to unseat incumbent leaders amid rising discontent over economic hardship. Just last month, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera was ousted as citizens grappled with escalating living costs. According to EMEgypt, Herminie’s victory is part of a wider pattern of change, as electorates across the continent demand new approaches to governance and economic management.
For Seychelles, the immediate challenges are clear. The country faces a high cost of living and a crisis of drug addiction—issues Herminie has identified as top priorities for his administration. As reported by RT and other sources, the new president’s agenda includes reviving the economy, which has struggled in recent years due to global shocks and local structural issues. Seychelles, dependent on tourism and fisheries, has been particularly vulnerable to external economic pressures, and many voters cited economic concerns as a driving force in their decision at the ballot box.
The United Seychelles party’s return to power is also notable for its recent parliamentary success. In late September 2025, the party reclaimed the parliamentary majority it had lost in 2015, winning decisively in the first round of legislative elections. This dual victory—executive and legislative—gives Herminie a strong mandate to pursue his policy agenda and may ease the path for reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy and addressing social challenges.
Historically, Seychelles’ political landscape has been shaped by dramatic shifts. The country gained independence from Britain on June 29, 1976. Less than a year later, in 1977, a coup led by supporters of the Seychelles People’s United Party (now United Seychelles) ousted President James Mancham while he was abroad, installing France-Albert Rene as the new leader. The US party then maintained a firm grip on power for over four decades, transitioning from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy in 1991. The peaceful transfer of power in 2020 to Ramkalawan was hailed as a milestone for Seychellois democracy, and the current transition further cements the country’s reputation for orderly political change.
With Herminie at the helm, Seychelles enters a new chapter. The president-elect has promised to devote his first 100 days to tangible improvements in the economy and public trust, while also seeking to heal the divisions that have emerged in recent years. The electorate’s appetite for change, as well as the new administration’s decisive majority in parliament, could signal a period of reform and renewal. Investors and regional observers will be watching closely to see how Herminie navigates the complex challenges ahead—balancing economic pressures, social needs, and the expectations of a population eager for progress.
As the dust settles on this historic election, Seychelles stands at a crossroads. The peaceful transition of power, the return of a storied political party, and the promise of unity and economic revival offer both hope and uncertainty. For now, the eyes of the nation—and indeed, much of Africa—are fixed on Victoria, as Patrick Herminie prepares to take office and chart a new course for the islands.