Sao Tome and Principe Government

The political system of Sao Tome and Principe is considered a semi-presidential democratic republic that has functioned within a multi-party environment since 1990. The President of Sao Tome and Principe is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. Executive power is held by the President and the national government and legislative power is held by the government and national parliament. The Constitution of Sao Tome and Principe (1990) is the founding document for the political system of the country.

Elections in Sao Tome and Principe for the Presidency take place every five years and the last election took place in 2016. Elections for the National Assembly take place every four years in seven constituencies (electorates) using the party-list proportional system. The last election for the National Assembly took place in 2014. Elections are seen as free, fair, and human rights have always been upheld since the political changes of 1990 that saw an end to one-party rule.

The parliament of Sao Tome and Principe, known as the National Assembly, is located in the capital city of Sao Tome. Of the 55 seats, the Independent Democratic Action party holds 33 and the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party holds 16. This National Assembly was formed in 2014 and members will be up for reelection in October 2018.

Some of the active political parties in Sao Tome and Principe include the Force for Change Democratic Movement and the Independent Democratic Action.