⁍ Seychelles’ tourism-dependent economy has been battered by COVID-19.

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⁍ Ramkalawan of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party had unsuccessfully contested the presidency since 1998.

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– The island nation of Seychelles has elected an opposition candidate for the first time since 1998. Wavel Ramkalawan of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party defeated President Danny Faure from the archipelago’s long-ruling party with 54.9% of the valid votes cast, Reuters reports. The country’s tourism-dependent economy has been battered by a recession, and it is expected to contract by 13.8% this year. Ramkalawan of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party had unsuccessfully contested the presidency since 1998. He and another opposition candidate, Alain St Ange of the One Seychelles party, had both promised voters they would raise the minimum wage. Faure’s United Seychelles has been in power since 1977. Faure, a former vice president, became president when his predecessor resigned after a constitutional amendment was passed limiting presidents to two terms. Last week’s vote was Faure’s first time contesting directly, and he had been viewed as likely to retain power because of a divided opposition. “Today’s presidential and national assembly elections is a testimony that Seychelles has achieved a high level as a democracy,” said the chairman.