Gabon: President Nguema's Party Leads Legislative Elections, Marking First Vote Since 2023 Coup

In the first legislative elections held in Gabon since the 2023 military coup that ended the half-century rule of the Bongo family, the Democratic Union of Builders party, founded by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema just a few months ago, topped the results of the first round.

According to the provisional results announced by the Minister of Interior, the new presidential party secured 55 seats out of the 145 seats in the National Assembly. In contrast, the former ruling party, the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), previously led by former President Ali Bongo Ondimba, won only 3 seats.

A crucial second round of these elections is scheduled for October 11th in 77 constituencies. Most of the key contests in this runoff are expected to take place between the President’s party and the former President’s party.

A New and Controversial Political Context

These elections are part of Gabon’s gradual return to the constitutional order, following the adoption of a new constitution via a 2024 referendum. This constitution significantly boosted the President's powers while reducing the role of Parliament, which no longer has the authority to issue a vote of no confidence to topple the government.

Furthermore, the elections were conducted under a new electoral law that sparked wide controversy. Opposition forces criticized the law, arguing that it unduly facilitates the participation of military personnel in elections, including the current President Oligui Nguema, who contested and won the presidential election last April.

Controversy Over Transparency and Appeals

Although the Ministry of Interior and the civilian observation mission described the conduct of the first round as "satisfactory," the results remain provisional. The door is open for electoral appeals until October 8th before the Constitutional Court.

These developments indicate that Gabon stands at a critical political crossroads: between a path led by the new authority seeking to solidify the regime's legitimacy through the ballot box, and an opposition that perceives the rules of the electoral game as still being heavily skewed in favor of the incumbent power.