Opposition NDP party claims victory in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

"Though official results have yet to be released, the NDP's likely victory is slated to end the Unity Labour Party's 24 years in power. The party addressed its constituents in St Vincent and the Grenadines, sometimes known by the acronym SVG, in a social media post after Thursday's election. We love you, SVG, and we will keep working and advocating for you, the Unity Labour Party said. This is not the end, it is the beginning."

"Gonsalves has been the country's prime minister since 2001, making him one of the world's longest-serving democratic leaders. He was also one of the last remaining figures from the first Pink Tide trend that swept across Latin America in the late 1990s and early 2000s. That period saw the election of left-wing leaders in a number of countries, from Brazil to Venezuela."

"Composed of 32 islands and cays, only nine of which are inhabited, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines relies on industries such as agriculture and tourism to support its population of 111,000. The NDP campaigned in the island nation on a platform that focused on increasing wages, improving security and building closer ties with China. While Gonsalves has been an ally of left-wing governments in Cuba and Venezuela, his party has also maintained a relationship with Taiwan."

The New Democratic Party won 14 of 15 constituencies in preliminary results in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, positioning opposition leader Godwin Friday to replace longtime Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. The likely NDP victory would end the Unity Labour Party's 24-year rule. Gonsalves served as prime minister since 2001 and was among the world's longest-serving democratic leaders and a remaining figure of the Pink Tide era. The nation, composed of 32 islands with about 111,000 people, depends on agriculture and tourism. The NDP campaigned on raising wages, improving security and pursuing closer ties with China; Gonsalves' government maintained relations with Cuba, Venezuela and Taiwan.

Read at www.aljazeera.com