The Liberal Party (Kinyarwanda: Ishyaka riharanira Ukwishyira Ukizana kwa Buri Muntu, literal translation: “Party for Equality for Everyone”; French: Parti Libéral, PL) is a liberal political party in Rwanda led by Prosper Higiro.
Liberal Party Parti Libéral | |
---|---|
Leader | Prosper Higiro |
Founded | 14 July 1991 |
Headquarters | Kigali |
Ideology | Liberalism |
Political position | Centre |
Colors | Green, yellow |
Chamber of Deputies | 4 / 80 |
Website | |
www | |
History
editThe party was established in 1991.[1] Although it refused to join the government formed by Sylvestre Nsanzimana later in the year, it joined Dismas Nsengiyaremye's government in April 1992.[2] As a result of its involvement with government,[2] and efforts by associates of President Juvénal Habyarimana,[1] the party split into pro- and anti-government factions.
It joined the Rwandan Patriotic Front-led government in 1994 after the end of the genocide. Prosper Higiro became leader of the party in 2001.[2] In the 2003 parliamentary elections the party received 11% of the vote and won six of the 53 elected seats.
In 2007 Protais Mitali was elected leader of the party.[2] A dispute over the conduct of the elections led to two MPs and five officials being expelled from the party.[2] The 2008 parliamentary elections saw the party's vote share fall to 7.5% as it was reduced to four seats.
Higiro was nominated as the party's candidate for the 2010 presidential elections, receiving 1.4% of the vote. In the 2013 parliamentary elections the party received 9% of the vote, winning five seats. It was reduced to four seats in the 2018 parliamentary elections.
Electoral history
editPresidential elections
editElection | Candidate | Votes | % | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Prosper Higiro | 68,235 | 1.37% | Lost |
Chamber of Deputies elections
editElection | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Prosper Higiro | 396,978 | 10.56% | 6 / 80
|
7 | 3rd |
2008 | 348,186 | 7.50% | 4 / 80
|
2 | 3rd | |
2013 | 9.29% | 5 / 80
|
1 | 3rd | ||
2018 | 479,631 | 7.20% | 4 / 80
|
1 | 3rd | |
2024 | 770,896 | 8.66% | 5 / 80
|
1 | 2nd |
References
editExternal links
edit- Official website Archived 2018-05-01 at the Wayback Machine