Parti Lepep supporters show support for new President Danny Faure, thank James Michel |17 October 2016

Parti Lepep supporters marched through the streets of Victoria on Saturday to show their support for Danny Faure who was inaugurated as the fourth President of the Republic of Seychelles yesterday afternoon and also thanked James Michel for all he has done during the 12 years of his presidency.

Saturday’s march started at the Maison du Peuple and the Parti Lepep supporters walked along Francis Rachel Street, Revolution Avenue, Quincy Street, Palm Street, 5th June Avenue before heading back to where the march started to listen to the party representatives speak.

They chanted slogans and sang songs associated with the party as they showed their approval of Mr Michel’s decision to hand over the presidency to Mr Faure who had been the country’s Vice-President since 2010.

According to the Seychelles constitution, the president can resign at any given time during his mandate and the Vice-President automatically takes over the leadership of the country and appoints a new Vice-President.

This is according to Article 55(1) of the Constitution which states that “where the President dies, resigns or is removed from office, the Vice-President shall assume the office of President for the unexpired term of the President with effect from the death, resignation or removal from office of the President”.

Among the speakers were former National Assembly Speaker, Dr Patrick Herminie; leader of the government business in the National Assembly, Charles De Commarmond; central committee member and Health Minister Mitcy Larue, central committee member and Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton, as well as former ministers Sylvette Pool and Peter Sinon.

Dr Hermine said “tomorrow (Sunday) we will have a new president and nobody can do anything about it. They have to accept the decision which is according to the Constitution of Seychelles”.

As for Minister Meriton, he said, Mr Faure needs everyone’s support to bring Seychelles to new heights.

Despite the handing over of the presidency is according to the Constitution, the opposition coalition – Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) – is not in favour and it organised a march of its own in the streets of Victoria on Saturday October 8 to call for new presidential election.