Provincial polls benefit the president more than Congo

Significance

In all but one race, candidates loyal to President Felix Tshisekedi emerged victorious.

Impacts

• With the organisation of this poll, the electoral commission remains nominally on track to deliver general elections by December 2023.
• Victory at the provincial level will strengthen Tshisekedi’s ability to influence the general elections at the local level.
• The run-up to 2023 will likely see much political manoeuvring and possibly unexpected alliances as elites seek to reposition themselves.