The atmosphere surrounding Angola’s upcoming 2012 parliamentary elections – which will also determine the president – is one of increasing restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly and media freedom. The repressive climate has deepened since the resounding victory of the ruling Movement for the Liberation of Angola party in the 2008 elections. Criticism against President José Eduardo dos Santos, in power for 32 years, has risen significantly in 2011. Authorities are using excessive force to crack down on an incipient protest movement against bad governance, corruption, poverty and political repression.