Patrick Herminie Wins Seychelles Presidential Election, Ending Ramkalawan's Term

Patrick Herminie has been sworn in as president of Seychelles after defeating incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan in a tightly contested runoff, marking the first time in five years that power has changed hands in the Indian Ocean archipelago. The official results, announced on October 12, 2025, showed Herminie of the United Seychelles Party securing 52.7% of the vote against Ramkalawan’s 47.3% — a narrow but decisive margin that signals a profound shift in public sentiment. The runoff, held from October 9 to October 11, followed a first-round vote on September 27, 2025, where neither candidate cleared the 50% threshold. Voter turnout for the runoff was estimated at 82%, slightly below the record 88% seen in 2020, but still among the highest in the region.

A Return to Power for the Old Guard

The United Seychelles Party — formerly known as Parti Lepep — ruled Seychelles for four decades until its shocking defeat in 2020. That year, Wavel Ramkalawan, a former Anglican priest turned politician, led the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa coalition to victory with 55% of the vote, ending one-party dominance. Now, after just five years, the political pendulum has swung back. Herminie, a former National Assembly speaker and longtime party loyalist, didn’t just win; he revived a political force many thought had been buried. His victory isn’t just personal — it’s a resurrection.

What Voters Were Tired Of

Herminie didn’t campaign on infrastructure or tourism numbers. He spoke plainly about what people felt: a erosion of freedoms. In a candid interview published by Africanews on October 12, he said, “I think people have had enough of the high personal living... the perception of a lack of basic human rights being respected — freedom of speech and stuff like that — the role of the army in policy.” Those weren’t campaign buzzwords. They were grievances. Locals in Victoria and Mahe whispered about journalists being pressured, military figures appearing in cabinet meetings, and public servants afraid to speak up. The drug crisis — especially among youth — also festered under Ramkalawan’s watch, with heroin seizures up 40% since 2022, according to Seychelles Police data. When voters went to the polls, they weren’t just choosing a candidate. They were choosing accountability.

The Electoral Machine That Held

Despite the high stakes, the Electoral Commission Seychelles (ECS) — headquartered in Victoria — delivered a clean process. Voter registration, which closed on July 5, 2025, was completed for over 84,000 eligible citizens. Eight candidates initially filed for president, but three dropped out before election day. The ECS certified the voter roll on schedule, enforced strict candidate filing deadlines (August 12 for presidential bids, August 14 for parliamentary), and even added a new political party — the Seychelles People's National Movement — on June 20, 2025. The transparency was notable. Results were posted live on ecs.sc/2025-election-results/, with independent observers from the African Union and Commonwealth monitoring the count. No major irregularities were reported.

What Happened to the Other Candidates?

The race wasn’t just a two-horse contest. The ballot included independents like Kisna Louise and Ralph Volcère, plus smaller parties like Alain St Ange’s Lalyans Nouvo Sesel and Robert Moumou’s new Seychelles People's National Movement. Collectively, they drew nearly 10% of the first-round vote. That’s significant. It means the electorate isn’t just polarized — it’s fragmented. Herminie’s win likely came not just from former Parti Lepep loyalists, but from disillusioned Linyon Demokratik Seselwa voters who felt Ramkalawan had drifted from his reformist roots. His running mate, Sebastien Pillay, a former finance minister, is expected to play a central role in restoring fiscal credibility.

The National Assembly and the New Balance of Power

While the presidency flipped, the National Assembly remains a mixed bag. The 35-seat legislature includes 26 directly elected members and up to 10 proportional seats. Though exact numbers aren’t yet finalized, early projections suggest Linyon Demokratik Seselwa will hold between 17 and 19 seats — enough to block constitutional changes but not enough to govern alone. That means Herminie will need to negotiate. He’ll likely turn to smaller parties or independents to pass his agenda. The real test? Can he build a coalition without compromising his reform promises? The opposition’s ability to hold the president to account — not just in parliament, but in the courts and media — will define his term.

What’s Next for Seychelles?

Herminie has promised to review the military’s role in civilian governance, strengthen press freedom laws, and launch a national drug rehabilitation program funded partly by tourism revenue reallocation. He’s also pledged to revisit the 2022 Environmental Protection Act, which critics say was weakened under Ramkalawan to accommodate resort expansions. The island’s economy, still reliant on foreign visitors, needs stability — and investors are watching. The World Bank has already signaled readiness to support green infrastructure projects under a new administration. But the clock is ticking. Herminie’s first 100 days will be scrutinized. Will he deliver change, or will history repeat itself?