Opposition MPD Calls Prime Minister 'Dangerous for Economy,' Demands Public Retraction

Cabo Verde's opposition party, MpD, has labeled the Prime Minister as "dangerous for the economy" and is demanding a public retraction of his statements. The call came from parliamentary leader Luís Carlos Silva, following a clarification from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Prime Minister had accused Cabo Verde of having hidden accounts and misleading the IMF, citing alleged budget overruns of eight million contos based on an analysis with the IMF. However, the IMF publicly stated that it did not analyze the budget execution, did not receive the necessary data, and did not produce the conclusions attributed to it by the Prime Minister. Silva emphasized that such accusations could jeopardize international trust and financial relations, citing Senegal's experience where suspicions of undeclared public debt led to a freeze in relations with the IMF. He assured that Cabo Verde's financial system does not permit hidden debt, explaining that budget adjustments are legally incorporated and do not represent clandestine spending or deception of the IMF. Silva argued that the Prime Minister should have known this reality before making such grave accusations, suggesting a willingness to sacrifice the nation's reputation for political gain. The MpD leader expressed hope that these statements will not lead to consequences similar to those in Senegal, given Cabo Verde's reliance on international financial support.