Liberal Party (Rwanda)
The Liberal Party (French: Parti Libéral, PL) is a liberal political party in Rwanda led by Protais Mitali.
Liberal Party Parti Libéral | |
---|---|
Leader | Prosper Higiro |
Headquarters | Kigali |
Ideology | Liberalism |
Political position | Centre |
Chamber of Deputies | 4 / 80
|
Website | |
www.udpr-rwanda.org | |
History
The 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
Presidential elections
Election | Party candidate | Votes | % | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Prosper Higiro | 68,235 | 1.37% | Lost |
Chamber of Deputies elections
Election | 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 |
References
- Aimable Twagilimana (2015) Historical Dictionary of Rwanda, Rowman & Littlefield, p180
- Arthur S Banks, Thomas C Miller, William R Overstreet & Judith F Isacoff (2009) Political Handbook of the World 2009, CQ Press, p1125