Opposition candidate Patrick Herminie has won the presidential election in the Seychelles, according to results published on Sunday 12 October by the electoral commission. The United Seychelles (US) party candidate won with 52.7% of the vote against the outgoing president, Wavel Ramkalawan, leader of the Linyon Democratik Seselwa (LDS, Seychelles Democratic Union).
Thus, in accordance with section 38 bucket one of the electoral law and on the basis of the certified results of the second round of voting, I have the honour of declaring Dr Matthew Antonio Patrick MEP President-elect of the Republic of Seychelles.’
At 62 years of age, Patrick Herminie becomes the sixth president of this Indian Ocean island nation with 52.7% of the votes cast. In his victory speech, the candidate, who is returning his party, the former single party in power without interruption from 1977 to 2020, to the helm of the country, promised measures to lower the cost of living and revive public services. A doctor by profession who headed the government’s anti-drug agency before entering politics as president of the National Assembly between 2007 and 2016, he wants to diversify the Seychelles’ economy, which relies mainly on tourism and fishing.
I officially accept this mandate with gratitude, a deep sense of duty and unshakeable confidence in the strength and character of the Seychellois people. The task now is to put in place clear measures to revive our economy by reducing the cost of living and promoting confidence in public services.
Patrick Herminie, President-elect
His election comes in a context where the Seychelles Electoral Commission announced on 28 September 2025 that a second round of presidential elections would be held, as no candidate had obtained an absolute majority in the first round. Opposition candidate Patrick Herminie of the Seychelles United Party won 48.8% of the vote, ahead of incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles Democratic Union (LDS), who won 46.4%. After the results were announced, Wavel Ramkalawan said he was satisfied with his legacy and announced that he was ready to defend the interests of the archipelago’s population.
I have served this country with dignity and honour, and indeed, it has been five years of hard work to get this country out of the problems of COVID, to turn this economy around, and to put this country where it is today. Today, we should all be proud that after five years, we have a beloved Seychelles that is talked about all over the world.
Wavel Ramkalawan, Incumbent president
Patrick Herminie’s election comes amid a post-Covid economic recovery, with debates on diversifying the Seychelles’ economy, traditionally dependent on tourism and fishing, being of great importance to the population, which stands at just over 132,000 according to the latest United Nations data. Between 2024 and 2025, the country recorded economic growth of 3.5%, exceeding initial forecasts of 3%. This performance can be explained by a vigorous recovery in the tourism sector, but also by the gradual diversification of its economic activities as part of the country’s Vision 2033, which places innovation and entrepreneurship at the heart of its priorities.
