Ethiopian opposition parties are heading into June 1 elections facing a deeply uneven playing field, with allegations of harassment, media suppression, and violent intimidation undermining any prospect of a competitive vote. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party, which captured 96% of parliamentary seats in 2021, is running unopposed in 64 of 547 constituencies. The largest opposition party, Ezema, is contesting just 293 seats. Opposition leaders describe the election as a predetermined exercise designed to maintain international legitimacy rather than reflect the will of voters. Meanwhile, voting will not take place in the conflict-scarred Tigray region, where tensions remain high following the 2020-2022 civil war.
Africanews
