Philippe Boulle leaves LDS executive council |10 August 2019

There were speculations lately that Philippe Boulle had left the executive council of opposition coalition Lalyans Demokratik Seselwa and yesterday party leader Roger Mancienne confirmed his resignation.

In a press release dated August 9, 2019, Mr Mancienne wrote that “Mr Boulle has informed the LDS executive council that he wishes to diminish political commitments in order to pursue his legal career and related endeavours. Specifically for LDS this means he is resigning as a member of the executive council.

“On behalf of our council, I wish to express unqualified appreciation for his contribution in the setting up of LDS and his role on the council to date.

“We extend our best wishes to Mr Boulle.”

Mr Boulle, who has run for president as an independent candidate a number of times, joined forces with four parties – Seychelles National Party (SNP) led by Wavel Ramkalawan, Lalyans Seselwa (Seychellois Alliance) led by former Minister and Ambassador Patrick Pillay, the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy (SPSD) led by lawyer Alexia Amesbury and the Seychelles United Party (SUP) led by Robert Ernesta – to form the coalition called LDS after the 2015 presidential election.

Leader of Lalyans Seselwa, Mr Pillay left opposition coalition LDS in February 2018, saying that cohabitation was not working.

Mr Pillay also resigned as Speaker of the National Assembly and elected member for Anse Boileau district.

LDS won the 2016 parliamentary election by getting 15 direct seats compared to 10 for Parti Lepep (now United Seychelles).