- Title: Angolans hopeful about the future on election day
- Date: 23rd August 2017
- Summary: LUANDA, ANGOLA (AUGUST 23, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE POLLING STATION NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ANGOLA (CNE) ASSISTANTS WAITING FOR VOTERS VARIOUS OF WOMAN WAITING TO CAST HER VOTE/ CNE ASSISTANT GIVING HER A BALLOT PAPER VARIOUS OF WOMAN CASTING HER VOTE/INSERTING THE BALLOT PAPER INTO THE BALLOT CONTAINER (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) WILSON CANDELE, VOTER, SAYING: "I voted because I'm a citizen and this is my right. I hope they will better our living conditions, like schools and others." ANOTHER WOMAN CASTING HER VOTE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE VOTING OUTSIDE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PEDRO DIAS, VOTER, SAYING: "I voted because as an Angolan I had to exercise my right and hopefully with this vote we can go for change." MAN VOTING
- Embargoed: 6th September 2017 16:20
- Keywords: elections Angola economy voting Lourenco Samakuva MPLA UNITA
- Location: LUANDA, ANGOLA
- City: LUANDA, ANGOLA
- Country: Angola
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA0016VDPIRR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Angolans headed to the polls on Wednesday (August 23) in a parliamentary election expected to usher in the ruling party's defence minister as the first new leader of Africa's second-biggest oil producer for 38 years.
Voters waited in orderly queues on a cloudy day, hopeful that the elections will bring about meaningful change in their lives.
The People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which has ruled Angola since independence from Portugal in 1975, is expected to remain in power but with a reduced majority. Its support has waned due to widespread political cronyism, though many Angolans remain loyal to the party that emerged victorious from 27 years of civil war in 2002.
Presidential candidate Joao Lourenco, who has pledged to boost growth and fight corruption, would inherit an economy mired in recession as gaping inequality, soaring inflation and high unemployment squeeze poor Angolans who have benefited little from a decades-long oil boom.
Questions have been raised as to how much power Lourenco, 63, will have if he wins, given veteran leader Jose Eduardo dos Santos, 74, will continue as head of the MPLA and have potentially a sweeping say over decision-making.
His daughter, Isabel, heads national oil producer Sonangol and his son José Filomeno is in charge of the $5 billion state investment fund. A recent law gives immunity to dos Santos. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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