Democracy Day in Cape Verde in 2025

Democracy Day in Cape Verde in 2025
Cape Verde Sunset. Image by Kirsi Kataniemi , via Pixabay
  How long until Democracy Day?
Democracy Day
  Dates of Democracy Day in Cape Verde
2026 Cape Verde Tue, Jan 13 National Holiday
2025 Cape Verde Mon, Jan 13 National Holiday
2024 Cape Verde Sat, Jan 13 National Holiday
2023 Cape Verde Fri, Jan 13 National Holiday
2022 Cape Verde Thu, Jan 13 National Holiday
  Summary

Democracy Day in Cape Verde celebrates the first democratic elections that took place on January 13th 1991

  Local name
Dia da democracia

When is Democracy Day?

Democracy Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Cape Verde observed on January 13th each year.

This holiday commemorates the first democratic elections, held in this African island nation on this day in 1991.

History of Democracy Day

Nowadays Cape Verde is one of the most democratic nations in Africa and ranks 26th in the world Democracy Index. That wasn't always the case. 

Following the 1974 revolution in Portugal, Cape Verde gained its independence in July 1975. The African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) came to power and established a one-party system.

It wasn't until 1990 when a growing call for democracy saw the PAICV discuss constitutional changes and the creation of a credible opposition political party, the Movement for Democracy (MPD).

The one-party state was abolished on September 28th 1990, and the first multi-party elections were held on January 13th 1991.

In the elections, the MPD won the most seats and MPD presidential candidate António Mascarenhas Monteiro defeated the PAICV's candidate.


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