Guinea-Bissau voters back a sweeping power shift, boosting the president and shrinking parliament

Guinea-Bissau voters recently endorsed a significant shift in power, bolstering the president's authority while simultaneously reducing the size of the country's legislature, according to electoral authorities. The referendum, held on August 30, 2026, aimed to revise key constitutional provisions in anticipation of the upcoming December general elections, which are set to restore democracy to the West African nation.

Opposition parties had strongly opposed the referendum, arguing that it would grant the president even greater power. However, the referendum ultimately resulted in a decisive 70% approval rate from voters, with only 30% casting their ballots against the proposed changes. The National Electoral Commission reported that the changes would weaken the prime minister's position, which is shared equally with the president in a semipresidential system.

This arrangement, according to the ruling military government, has been a contributing factor to political instability in the region.

The referendum also led to a reduction in the number of legislative seats, from 102 to 65. Despite the country's vast natural resources, which have earned it the distinction of having the highest per capita natural wealth in West Africa, according to the World Bank, over half of Guinea-Bissau's population of 2.2 million people still lives in poverty.