Ivory Coast: Tidjane Thiam, the hope of a political renaissance for the PDCI?

In Côte d'Ivoire, the political scene is ablaze as the 2025 presidential election approaches. With a promising comeback, Tidjane Thiam, former CEO of Crédit Suisse, is positioning himself as the candidate for the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI). This shift raises as many hopes as it raises questions about the country's political future. Will he succeed in revitalizing a PDCI in search of an identity in a rapidly changing political landscape?

A triumphant return?

Tidjane Thiam, this businessman with a head for detail, is no novice in the Ivorian political world. His impressive career and financial expertise give him undisputed legitimacy. However, can the smoke and mirrors of his international success be enough to seduce an electorate traumatized by crises and scandals? The challenges he will face are not limited to well-crafted speeches under the spotlights of television cameras. No, he will also have to reconnect with the grassroots, this population in search of tangible results.

PDCI: A Party in Agony?

The PDCI, founded by Félix Houphouët-Boigny, embodies a glorious history, but times have changed. The party is now perceived as tired, struggling to extricate itself from the shadows surrounding it. Thiam's appointment could represent a breath of fresh air, but will it come in time? Internal dissensions and power struggles are a reality he will have to navigate like a tightrope walker. Can he transcend these rivalries to unite a moribund PDCI? The task promises to be daunting, especially as the polarization of the political scene only exacerbates tensions.

The Economy, a central issue

In a country where the economy is being undermined by growing inequality and supply chain disruptions, Thiam's approach will be closely scrutinized. At a time when his fellow citizens are questioning their purchasing power, particularly in the face of inflationary realities, will his economic proposals be realistic or will they be fiction? The electoral battle will require concrete answers to existential questions: how to generate employment? How to combat endemic corruption? For Thiam, the challenge will be to convince Ivorians that he can bridge the gap between his international experience and the realities of their daily lives.

In short, Tidjane Thiam's return to the forefront of the Ivorian political scene is both an exciting and worrying chapter. While he can attract former loyalists and young people seeking change, the expectations are there, and the promises must be fulfilled. Côte d'Ivoire is at a crossroads, and the PDCI must navigate this path with caution to avoid sinking further into oblivion.