Ex-Credit Suisse CEO Positions Himself as Ouattara’s Strongest Challenger
Tidjane Thiam, the former CEO of Credit Suisse, has officially renounced his French citizenship, a crucial step in his bid to run for president in Côte d’Ivoire. The move follows the country’s strict constitutional requirement that all presidential candidates hold only Ivorian nationality.
Thiam, a globally respected banker and economist, was elected as the leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) in 2023. With the 2025 presidential elections approaching, he emerges as a formidable rival to incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, whose future candidacy remains uncertain.
This development signals a shift in Ivorian politics, where internationally experienced technocrats like Thiam are seen as potential game-changers. However, his elite background and long absence from Ivorian domestic politics may pose challenges in connecting with grassroots voters.
The bigger question remains: Is Côte d’Ivoire ready to embrace a leader with a Western corporate background, or will voters stick to traditional political players?
