The Liberal Party (French: Parti Libéral, PL) is a liberal political party in Rwanda led by Prosper Higiro.

History

The party was established in 1991.^[1] Although it refused to join the government formed by Sylvestre Nsanzimana later in the year, it joined Dismas Nsengiyaremye's government in April 1992.^[2] As a result of its involvement with government,^[2] and efforts by associates of President Juvénal Habyarimana,^[1] the party split into pro- and anti-government factions.

It joined the Rwandan Patriotic Front-led government in 1994 after the end of the genocide. Prosper Higiro became leader of the party in 2001.^[2] In the 2003 parliamentary elections the party received 11% of the vote and won six of the 53 elected seats.

In 2007 Protais Mitali was elected leader of the party.^[2] A dispute over the conduct of the elections led to two MPs and five officials being expelled from the party.^[2] The 2008 parliamentary elections saw the party's vote share fall to 7.5% as it was reduced to four seats.

Higiro was nominated as the party's candidate for the 2010 presidential elections, receiving 1.4% of the vote. In the 2013 parliamentary elections the party received 9% of the vote, winning five seats. It was reduced to four seats in the 2018 parliamentary elections.

Electoral history

Presidential elections

Election	Candidate	Votes	%	Result
2010	Prosper Higiro	68,235	1.37%	Lost N

Chamber of Deputies elections

Election	Leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position
2003	Prosper Higiro	396,978	10.56%	6 / 80	7	3rd
2008		348,186	7.50%	4 / 80	2	3rd
2013			9.29%	5 / 80	1	3rd
2018		479,631	7.20%	4 / 80	1	3rd

References

External links

• Official website