Former Environment Minister elected president of the São Tomé Parliament unanimously

The former Minister of Environment, Youth, and Sustainable Tourism of São Tomé and Príncipe has been unanimously elected as the president of the parliament, marking her as the second woman to hold this position in the country's multiparty system. This election, proposed by the Independent Democratic Action (ADI), also sees the election of 19 women in the National Assembly for the first time. The ADI, which secured 23 seats in the recent elections, formed a parliamentary majority with the coalition of the Independent Citizens Movement/ Socialist Party/ National Unity Party. Nilda da Mata, 50, has a diverse professional background in international relations and public administration, having previously served in various governmental roles.