James Michel

James Alix Michel ( born August 18, 1944) is April 14, 2004 President of the Republic of Seychelles. He took over from France- Albert René, who had resigned from his position as President of the Seychelles in March 2004. Michel had previously held the position of Vice President.

Life

He was first a teacher, then worked in the booming tourism in the archipelago and in 1964 a member of René's party, who later in Seychelles People's Progressive Front ( SPPF ) renamed leftist Seychelles People's United Party.

He was followed by President René in many offices during the different periods of the history of the Seychelles after independence. He was a member of the Central Committee of the Party, as René in 1977 a coup against the first President of the country, James Mancham start. During the socialist one-party government from 1977 to 1993, Michel held various key positions in the party and the ministries.

During the tenure of René Michel was several times the economic managers of the Seychelles. In these 27 years, the Seychelles had experienced an economic boom in the fields of tourism and fisheries. However, the opposition feared a threat to this development by a rising national debt.

The new head of state of the Seychelles also played in the slow process of democratization of the country involved, starting with the approval of other parties for election in 1993. Nevertheless, there is still only limited freedom of the press and the opposition after election manipulation. Official results according to René won the elections for the presidency (2001) and the legislature (2002) just barely.

The opposition leader in Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan has expressed its growing concern about the negative trend in the economy and requires a better dialogue with the ruling party. He also offered his cooperation with President Michel. Other opposition criticize lack of democratization and false society development.