James Michel

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James Michel bigraphy, stories - President of Seychelles

James Michel : biography

August 16, 1944 –

Michel followed President René through different political posts during all periods of the Seychelles’ history as an independent entity. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Seychelles People’s United Party from 1974 to 1977; subsequently, when the party was transformed into the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF), he became a member of its Central Executive Committee. René staged a coup against the country’s first President, James Mancham, only one year after independence, and Michel was appointed as Minister of Public Administration and Information in June 1977. During the 1977–1993 one-party socialist rule, Michel held various ruling party and ministerial portfolios. In 1984 he became the SPPF’s Deputy Secretary-General, and in 1994 he became its Secretary-General., Office of the President website.

During the rule of President René, Michel was the head of the Seychellois economy on several occasions. In these 27 years, the Seychelles experienced a period of economic growth based on its tourism and fishery sectors, which was followed by stagnation in the 1990’s. Starting from 2008, Michel has presided over a macro-economic reform program, leading to a massive reduction in budget deficit and complete liberalization of foreign exchange transactions.

Michel also played a major role in the country’s democratisation process, which started with multi-party elections in 1993. However, according to the opposition, Seychelles still suffers from limited freedom and transparency of the press and rigged election, although all elections held since have been certified free and fair by international observers . According to official results, President René and his Seychelles People’s Progressive Front party won presidential and legislative elections in 2001 and 2002 respectively, with about 54% of the vote in both cases., African Elections Database.

Seychelles’ opposition leader, Wavel Ramkalawan, has expressed increased concern over the negative trends in the national economy and demanded more dialogue with the ruling party. The leader of the Seychelles National Party furthermore said that he would be cooperating with President Michel.

Michel won the presidential election of July 28–30, 2006, taking 53.7% of the vote. He was sworn in for his new term on August 1, 2006. He again won the presidential election in May 2011, taking 55.4 of the vote. Michel was sworn in for his new term of office on 22 May 2011.Tanya Salseth-Feau, , usinfo.state.gov, August 2, 2006.