Patrick Jérôme Achi, an experienced politician and former Prime Minister, has been elected President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, receiving 215 out of 255 votes during the inaugural session of the new legislature held in Abidjan this Saturday.

The vote, presided over by the oldest member of the Assembly in accordance with parliamentary procedures, confirmed Achi’s leadership with approximately 85% of the votes, reflecting broad support within the Assembly.

This election comes after the legislative elections of December 27, 2025, in which the ruling party, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), won a comfortable majority of seats in the National Assembly. This political configuration facilitated Achi’s rise to the presidency of the chamber.

Achi, 70, has held several high-level positions in the Ivorian government, including Prime Minister from March 2021 to October 2023 under President Alassane Ouattara. He also served as Secretary General of the Presidency and Minister of State and Special Adviser to the Presidency.

His candidacy was officially presented by RHDP leaders, who highlighted his administrative experience and deep understanding of state functions. His supporters believe that his leadership will ensure stability and continuity in the legislative agenda as Côte d’Ivoire faces significant economic and social challenges.

Initially, three candidates had expressed their intention to run for the position, but the final contest came down to Achi and Yao Yao Lazare of the PDCI‑RDA after one candidate withdrew. Achi’s decisive victory demonstrates the organizational strength and influence of the majority party in Parliament.

Opposition representatives called for a more independent and transparent National Assembly, emphasizing that the Parliament should balance executive authority and safeguard democratic oversight mechanisms.

As President of the National Assembly, Achi will oversee parliamentary debates, organize legislative work, and represent the institution both nationally and internationally. This position is second in protocol after the President of the Republic and plays a central role in shaping the country’s legislative direction for the next five years.

In his first speech after the vote, Achi thanked his colleagues for their trust and called for unity among Assembly members, stressing the importance of legislative work that responds to the needs of Ivorian citizens. Direct quotes were not available at the time of writing.