Maputo, July 9, 2024 (Lusa) - The televised debates between the public and the presidential candidates in Mozambique's October elections begin on Tuesday, an initiative that aims to "give space for the public presentation of the ideas" of the four contenders, the organisers said.
The first debate will feature Lutero Simango, a candidate for president of the Republic supported by the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), Mozambique's third largest political force, who is also in first place on the ballot paper, according to a statement from the Forum for Reflection and Public Policy (Forepp), the organising body.
The debates will take place in the amphitheatre of the Polytechnic University in Maputo and will be broadcast live on the private television channel STV from 5 p.m. (4 p.m. Lisbon time), the statement added.
"The candidates will discuss their main ideas in the most varied fields of the country's life, including the economy, culture, the media and defence and security. In around two hours, as well as presenting what they think about Mozambique, they will also answer questions posed by members of a panel of experts and the public present," reads the organisation's statement.
In addition to the Polytechnic University and STV, the dialogues are being held in partnership with the Kaleidoscopio Public Policy Research Centre.
On 24 June, the Constitutional Council approved the candidacies of Daniel Chapo, supported by the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), Ossufo Momade, supported by Renamo, the largest opposition party, Lutero Simango, supported by the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third largest parliamentary party, and Venâncio Mondlane, supported by CAD, for the post of President of the Republic.
The presidential elections will take place simultaneously with the legislative elections and the elections of governors and provincial assemblies.
The current president, Filipe Nyusi, is constitutionally barred from running for office again because he is currently serving his second term at the head of state, having been elected in 2015 and 2019.
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