VICTORIA, Seychelles — Former tourism minister Alain St Ange has officially announced his independent candidacy for the presidential election due in September 2025, with Daniella Payet as his running mate. The pair unveiled their new political movement, Lalyans Nouvo Sesel (Alliance for a New Seychelles), at a press conference at Blend Seychelles in Providence yesterday, framed as a movement rather than a traditional party.
Mr St Ange and Ms Payet bring a combined wealth of experience in tourism, public service, healthcare and the private sector. Their movement’s stated priorities include socio-economic reform, transparent governance and a commitment to address the expressed needs of Seychellois citizens. Mr St Ange said Seychellois should be allowed to choose their representatives based on merit, not party allegiance, and the movement would create ‘a transparent, people-first government’.
Ms Payet, who runs a clinic in the hospitality sector, raised concerns about the downturn in tourism and its knock-on effects on destination management companies, taxis, car hire, restaurants, guides and ferries. A committee comprising Mr St Ange, Ms Payet, Michael Thomas, Cyril Lau-Tee, Ernesto Lionnet, Alain Delhomme Hoareau and Godfra Hermitte will lead the movement. The committee is in talks with other political parties, including the Seychelles National Alliance Party, and the leaders confirmed that members or parties supporting the movement are free to stand as candidates in the upcoming legislative elections.
