Guinea-Bissau voters have approved a new constitution in a referendum, a move that significantly expands the powers of the president. Provisional results from the electoral commission indicate that approximately 70% of voters supported the constitutional changes, with a turnout nearing 60%.
The reforms alter the country's semi-presidential system by strengthening the authority of the president over that of the prime minister. The ruling military administration stated these changes are necessary to address persistent disputes between the president and prime minister, which they argue have led to political instability. Previously, the legislature appointed the prime minister, who then formed a cabinet.
Under the new constitution, the president will have greater control over the government. However, the five-year presidential term limit has been maintained. The constitution also reduces the number of parliamentary seats from 102 to 65 and consolidates electoral constituencies from 29 to 12. New eligibility requirements for presidential candidates have been introduced, including a stipulation that candidates must have resided continuously in Guinea-Bissau for the five years preceding an election.
These constitutional amendments precede presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December, which the current military leadership intends as a step toward restoring civilian rule. The referendum faced opposition from the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), the country's main opposition party. The PAIGC urged supporters to boycott the vote, warning that the proposed changes could lead to an over-concentration of power in the presidency. PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira asserted that the referendum's proponents aimed to diminish democracy and political freedoms.
Some activists have questioned the referendum's legitimacy, claiming that a significant majority of registered voters did not participate. The vote follows a period of political turbulence in Guinea-Bissau, including a military takeover in November 2025 after a disputed presidential election. The junta at the time cited a plot by unnamed politicians with ties to a drug baron as the reason for their intervention. The December elections are anticipated to be a crucial indicator of the military authorities' commitment to returning the country to civilian governance and how the newly empowered presidency will function within Guinea-Bissau's political framework.