Prospects for a presidential third term and the upcoming local and legislative elections.
Legislative and municipal elections due towards the end of this year will be a significant political test for both the government and President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, just one year before the crucial 2019 presidential contest. Despite his denials of any ambition to stand for a third term, there is a widespread expectation that Abdelaziz will seek to remain in office. However, that would mean scrapping the current two-term limit -- a constitutional change that would require a two-thirds majority in the national assembly. Change could provoke protests at home and criticism from Western allies.
The main lines of policy on the economy, the extractives sector and public services would be unlikely to change under a new president.
The IMF’s December 2017 decision to approve a new three-year programme provides a stable framework for investors.
The regime will crack down hard on any large public street protest that appears likely to gather momentum.
