The main opposition party in Côte d’Ivoire officially announced its leader, Tidjane Thiam, as the candidate for the presidential elections scheduled for October. The 62-year-old former CEO of Credit Suisse was the sole candidate for the centre-right Democratic Party (PDCI).
Thiam, a businessman and former minister, faced criticism regarding his nationality, as opponents claimed that his previous French citizenship made him ineligible to participate. Three other notable figures, including former president Laurent Gbagbo, are disqualified from running.
At a party convention held on Wednesday, Thiam received 99.5% of the votes, with a turnout of 93%, according to the provisional results released on Thursday. Over 5,000 PDCI members cast their votes nationwide.
Thiam expressed gratitude to his supporters who had “honoured” him despite “the venom that was spread” concerning his nationality and character.
He made history as the first Ivorian to successfully pass the entrance exam for Polytechnique, a prestigious French engineering institution. Later, he returned to Abidjan, where he began his political journey and became the minister of planning at the age of 36.
However, in 1999, a coup removed the PDCI from power, leading him to pursue a career abroad in the private sector. After returning to the political landscape, Thiam took over as the head of the PDCI in December 2023.
He has downplayed worries about his lack of connection to the nation after spending two decades abroad and has aimed to leverage his international experience as a strength, promising to “govern differently.”
The ruling RHDP party has indicated it will soon endorse President Alassane Ouattara, 83, for a fourth term in office.
