St Vincent opposition party celebrates historic election win

"The New Democratic party (NDP) in the Caribbean country of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is celebrating a historic landslide victory taking 14 of 15 seats, according to preliminary results. The decisive vote was a crushing defeat for the Unity Labour party (ULP), which has been in power since 2001. The outgoing prime minister, Ralph Gonsalves, was the only ULP candidate to hold on to their seat in the elections where there was a severe decline in the party's previous nine seat majority."

"Gonsalves, the Caribbean's longest-serving prime minister, will hand over the reins to the NDP's Godwin Friday. The outgoing prime minister, Ralph Gonsalves, was the only Unity Labour candidate to hold on to their seat. Photograph: Jeenah Moon/Reuters Looks like a giant has fallen in Vincy, Peter Wickham, a regional political analyst, said on Facebook as it became apparent that Gonsalves, a prominent climate justice and slavery reparations advocate, was going to lose the elections."

"Jamaica's prime minister, Andrew Holness, who is dealing with the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, described the election as an important moment for the Vincentian people. He said on X: I wish Dr Friday every success as he undertakes the responsibility of national leadership, and I pray God's guidance and wisdom upon him in the work ahead. Jamaica values its close friendship with St Vincent and the Grenadines, and we look forward to strengthening our cooperation"

An opposition New Democratic Party won 14 of 15 seats in St Vincent and the Grenadines in a historic landslide, ousting the long-ruling Unity Labour Party which had governed since 2001. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves retained his seat but will cede leadership to NDP leader Godwin Friday. The NDP campaigned on job creation, higher wages, reduced crime and violence, improved healthcare and infrastructure, and a citizenship-by-investment policy. Regional leaders offered congratulations, with Jamaica's prime minister wishing Friday success and emphasizing stronger regional cooperation. Friday, 66, a lawyer, became NDP leader in 2016 and has served in parliament since 2001.

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