The big upset

No one expected the ruling party to do so badly but it still holds power at the centre, facing a revitalised opposition

It was a stunning setback for the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front. When the polls closed on 15 May, the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) seemed to have won all Addis Ababa's seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives (HPR) and on the city council, and taken most towns. Final results are due by 8 June; meanwhile, both the EPRDF and the CUD, together with its ally, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), have claimed implausible victories.

Article Tags:
Out of touch with the electorate, Meles Zenawi, Arkebe Oqubey, Eritrea, Bereket Simon, Ana Gomez, Jimmy Carter, Playing the ethnic card, Rwandan, Bedru Adem, Ministers out, Bereket Simon, Tefera Walwal, Genet Zewede, Getachew Belay, Abadula Gemeda, Dawit Yohannes, Arkebe Oqubey, Jenedin Sedo, Yosef Reta, Beyene Petros, Radio Ethiopia, Interahamwé

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