The rise of FRANCISCO CARVALHO (FC), re-elected mayor of Praia in the last local elections, to the leadership of the PAICV will drag on and the process is likely to involve more wear and tear for him and for the party, which hopes to end a decade of MpD leadership in the legislative elections scheduled for OCT.2026. Party sources indicate that FC is still favoured to succeed RUI SEMEDO, who replaced JANIRA HOPFFER ALMADA as PAICV leader in DEC.2021, but that he should have less time to assert himself, in a process that is damaging the PAICV's image, after the Constitutional Court suspended the direct internal elections on 30 MAR. READ MORE