# United Seychelles > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/United_Seychelles > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/United_Seychelles.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Seychelles > Source revision: 1353059167 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Political party in Seychelles United Seychelles Abbreviation US Leader Patrick Herminie Founder France-Albert René Founded 2 June 1964 (1964-06-02) Newspaper The People Women's wing United Seychelles Women's League Ideology Social democracy Democratic socialism 1977–1991: Socialism[1][nb 1] Political position Centre-left to left-wing Colours Red National Assembly 19 / 34 (56%) Website unitedseychelles.net Politics of Seychelles Political parties Elections Politics of Seychelles Constitution Human rights LGBT rights Cabinet President Patrick Herminie Vice-President Sebastien Pillay Legislature National Assembly Speaker: Azarel Ernesta Leader of the Opposition: Bernard Georges Judiciary Constitutional Court of Seychelles Supreme Court Chief Justice: Rony Goviden Elections Political parties Recent elections Presidential: 2020 2025 Parliamentary: 2020 2025 Administrative divisions Districts Outer Islands Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: Barry Faure Diplomatic missions of / in Seychelles Passport Visa requirements Visa policy Other countries v t e Old party flag **United Seychelles** is a political party in [Seychelles](/source/Seychelles). It publishes a newspaper called *The People*. It was known as the **Seychelles People's Progressive Front** ([French](/source/French_language): *Front Progressiste du Peuple Seychellois*, [Seychellois Creole](/source/Seychellois_Creole): *Fron Progresis Pep Sesel*) from 1978/9 to June 2009, when it changed its name to the **People's Party** ([Seychellois Creole](/source/Seychellois_Creole): *Parti Lepep*, **PL**).[5] The party changed its name again in November 2018, from the People's Party to United Seychelles.[6][7] The party was founded in 1964 by [France-Albert René](/source/France-Albert_Ren%C3%A9),[8] under the name **Seychelles People's United Party**, and it was led by him from its inception. The party was the ruling party from 1977 to 2020 and was the sole legal party in the country from 1979 to 1991 (this period is referred to retrospectively as the "Second Republic"). The party is led by a Central Executive Committee. Leading members of the party over the years have been René, [James Michel](/source/James_Michel) (formerly the chief of staff of the armed forces, information minister, finance minister and vice-president from 1996 to 2004; he was the [President of Seychelles](/source/President_of_Seychelles) from 2004 to 2016), [Guy Sinon](/source/Guy_Sinon), [Jacques Hodoul](/source/Jacques_Hodoul) (a former foreign minister who was regarded as the party's chief ideologue), [Joseph Belmont](/source/Joseph_Belmont) (former Vice-president of Seychelles), and Maxime Ferrari (a former René loyalist who later supported the opposition and wrote an autobiography). Former Vice-president of Seychelles [Vincent Meriton](/source/Vincent_Meriton) has been the leader of the party since June 2017 (party president). He is the third president of the party since its creation in 1964. Meriton was preceded by former President of Seychelles James Michel.[9] The party maintains branches in each electoral district and uses an extensive system of patronage. At the [parliamentary election in 2011](/source/Seychellois_parliamentary_election%2C_2011), the party won 88.56% of the popular vote and all 31 seats in the [National Assembly](/source/National_Assembly_of_Seychelles). That fell to 49.22% and 14 seats in the national assembly after the [parliamentary election in 2016](/source/Seychellois_parliamentary_election%2C_2016), leaving the party in parliamentary opposition for the first time. From 1993 (when opposition parties were legalised) to 2011, candidates from the party won all the presidential elections in the first round,[10] while in 2016 they won in the second round, and in 2020 they lost for the first time. The party also held a majority in the National Assembly independence until 2016. Seychelles opposition candidate [Wavel Ramkalawan](/source/Wavel_Ramkalawan) won in the [2020 Seychellois general election](/source/2020_Seychellois_general_election) with 54.9 per cent of valid votes cast, upsetting incumbent President [Danny Faure](/source/Danny_Faure) of United Seychelles. The party lost its first presidential poll in over 40 years since Seychelles gained independence. United Seychellois lost also in the General Assembly elections and [Linyon Demokratik Seselwa](/source/Linyon_Demokratik_Seselwa) (LDS) held its clear majority in the parliament.[11] After [Vincent Meriton](/source/Vincent_Meriton) stepped down as party leader,[12] [Patrick Herminie](/source/Patrick_Herminie) was elected as the new leader in 2021.[13] In October 2023, Herminie was charged by the Seychellois public prosecutor with [witchcraft](/source/Witchcraft). He denied the charges and described them as politically motivated.[14] In February 2024, the witchcraft accusations were lifted by the Victoria public prosecutor's office.[15] In October 2025, [presidential runoff](/source/2025_Seychellois_general_election) was won by Patrick Herminie, meaning United Seychelles (US) returned to power.[16] United Seychelles won 15 out of 26 seats in the parliament.[17] On 26 October 2025, Patrick Herminie was sworn in as Seychelles’ sixth president.[18] ## Election results ### Presidential elections Election Party candidate Votes % Votes % Result First round Second round 1979 France-Albert René 26,390 98% – – Elected Y 1984 32,883 92.6% – – Elected Y 1989 37,703 96.1% – – Elected Y 1993 25,627 59.5% – – Elected Y 1998 31,048 66.7% – – Elected Y 2001 27,223 54.2% – – Elected Y 2006 James Michel 30,119 53.73% – – Elected Y 2011 31,966 55.46% – – Elected Y 2015 28,911 47.76% 31,512 50.15% Elected Y 2020 Danny Faure 28,178 43.51% – – Lost N 2025 Patrick Herminie 30,736 48.83% 34,389 52.73% Elected Y ### National Assembly elections Election Party leader Votes % Seats +/– Position Result 1967 France-Albert René 8,621 48.2% 3 / 8 3 2nd Opposition 1970 15,834 44.1% 5 / 15 2 2nd Opposition 1974 19,920 47.63% 2 / 15 3 2nd Opposition 1979 98% 23 / 25 21 1st Sole legal party 1983 20,705 100% 23 / 25 1st Sole legal party 1987 28,410 100% 23 / 25 1st Sole legal party 1992 24,538 58.4% 14 / 22 9 1st Majority government 1993 24,462 56.6% 27 / 33 13 1st Supermajority government 1998 28,610 61.7% 30 / 34 3 1st Supermajority government 2002 28,075 54.27% 23 / 34 7 1st Supermajority government 2007 James Michel 30,571 56.76% 23 / 34 1st Supermajority government 2011 31,123 88.56% 33 / 34 10 1st Supermajority government 2016 30,218 49.22% 14 / 33 19 2nd Minority government 2020 Vincent Meriton 27,185 42.35% 10 / 35 4 2nd Opposition 2025 Patrick Herminie 30,880 49.14% 19 / 34 9 1st Majority government ## Former logos - Logo of the SPUP from 1964 until 1991. - Logo of the People's Party (Parti Lepep) ## Notable people See also: [Category:United Seychelles Party politicians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:United_Seychelles_Party_politicians) - [Joevana Charles](/source/Joevana_Charles) - [Ansley Constance](/source/Ansley_Constance) - [Charles DeCommarmond](/source/Charles_DeCommarmond) - [Ginette Gamatis](/source/Ginette_Gamatis) - [Wilby Lucas](/source/Wilby_Lucas) - [Marc Naiken](/source/Marc_Naiken) - [Roy Nibourette](/source/Roy_Nibourette) - [David Payet](/source/David_Payet) - [Marie-Antoinette Rose](/source/Marie-Antoinette_Rose) - [Vicky Theresine](/source/Vicky_Theresine) - [Jennifer Vel](/source/Jennifer_Vel) - [Marc Volcere](/source/Marc_Volcere) ## Notes 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Following the coup, René declared that he was not a [Soviet-style Communist](/source/Soviet-style_Communist), but an "[Indian Ocean socialist](/source/Indian_Ocean_socialist)" and "socialist [pan-Africanist](/source/Pan-Africanist)",[2] generally oriented towards Tanzanian president [Julius Nyerere](/source/Julius_Nyerere) and his [African socialism](/source/African_socialism).[3][4] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Encyclopedia_1-0)** Schlager, Neil; Weisblatt, Jayne (2006). [*World Encyclopedia of Political Systems and Parties Fourth Edition*](https://books.google.com/books?id=hdxfAQAACAAJ). Facts On File Library of World History. p. 1192-1194. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0816059535](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0816059535). Retrieved 17 March 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Hoare, Mike (1986). [*The Seychelles Affair*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ZppyAAAAMAAJ). Bantam Press. p. [4](https://books.google.com/books?id=ZppyAAAAMAAJ&q=%22an+Indian+Ocean+socialist%22). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-593-01122-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-593-01122-5). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Shayo, Rose. ["Nyerere's Tanzania and its Legacies"](https://carleton.ca/africanstudies/wp-content/uploads/Shayo-nyerere-legacy.pdf) (PDF). Carleton University. Retrieved 21 September 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Mayer, Adam (3 April 2025). ["Resurgent Africa: A Socialist Past, a Multipolar Present: Introduction"](https://doi.org/10.1080/21598282.2025.2511108). *International Critical Thought*. **15** (2): 153–166. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/21598282.2025.2511108](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F21598282.2025.2511108). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2159-8282](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2159-8282). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Elections in Seychelles](http://africanelections.tripod.com/sc.html) – African Elections Database 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Parti Lepep, seeking platform of unity, changes name to United Seychelles"](http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/10105/Parti+Lepep%2C+seeking+platform+of+unity%2C+changes+name+to+United+Seychelles). *seychellesnewsagency.com*. Retrieved 25 October 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Seychelles Ruling Party Changes Name Ahead of 2020 Elections"](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-26/seychelles-ruling-party-changes-name-ahead-of-2020-elections). 26 November 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2020 – via bloomberg.com. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Carrying on the legacy of Nelson Mandela"](http://www.eturbonews.com/40572/carrying-legacy-nelson-mandela). eTurboNews. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Bonnelame, Betymie (5 June 2017). ["Meriton is new leader of Seychelles' Parti Lepep"](http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/7369/Meriton+is+new+leader+of+Seychelles'+Parti+Lepep). Seychelles News Agency. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-sna_11-0)** ["Presidential elections in Seychelles rescheduled for December 3rd to 5th"](http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/3891/Presidential+elections+in+Seychelles+rescheduled+for+December+rd+to+th). [Seychelles News Agency](/source/Seychelles_News_Agency). 13 October 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Seychelles opposition candidate wins presidential election"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/25/seychelles-opposition-candidate-wins-presidential-election). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Athanase, Patsy (16 December 2020). ["2 candidates vying to lead United Seychelles at next month's vote"](http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/14036/+candidates+vying+to+lead+United+Seychelles+at+next+month%27s+vote). *seychellesnewsagency.com*. Retrieved 22 January 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Karapetyan, Salifa (1 February 2021). ["United Seychelles' newly elected leader criticises government's new direction"](http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/14281/United+Seychelles%27+newly+elected+leader+criticises+government%27s+new+direction). *Seychelles News Agency*. Retrieved 22 January 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Seychelles opposition leader Patrick Herminie charged with witchcraft"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66992504). *BBC News*. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-voaafrique_16-0)** ["SEYCHELLES Abandon des charges contre l'opposant seychellois, accusé de "sorcellerie""](https://www.voaafrique.com/a/seychelles-abandon-des-charges-contre-le-principal-opposant-accus%C3%A9-de-sorcellerie-/7489033.html). *Voa Afrique* (in French). 16 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Seychelles presidential election: Opposition leader Patrick Herminie defeats Wavel Ramkalawan"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7p72rj2geo). *www.bbc.com*. 12 October 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["TRT Afrika - Seychelles opposition candidate wins presidential runoff, incumbent leader concedes defeat"](https://www.trtafrika.com/english/article/2f7bc8c20dfa). *www.trtafrika.com*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-reuters.com_19-0)** ["Patrick Herminie sworn in as Seychelles sixth president"](https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idRW693627102025RP1/). Retrieved 27 October 2025. ## External links - [United Seychelles](http://weareunitedseychelles.com/) - [Website of *The People* newspaper](http://people.partilepep.com/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111005211203/http://people.partilepep.com/) 5 October 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) v t e Political parties in Seychelles United Seychelles Seychellois Alliance Seychelles Democratic Party Seychelles National Party Linyon Demokratik Seselwa Seychelles Movement for Democracy Politics portal List of political parties Politics of Seychelles Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF 2 National United States 2 Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [United Seychelles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Seychelles) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Seychelles?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.