"In the past decade, the country has suffered setbacks such as the pandemic, the La Soufriere volcanic eruption of 2021 and catastrophic storms such as Hurricane Beryl, which devastated the archipelago last year. Gonsalves has presided over the building of the country's first international airport, facilitating a tourism boom that has drawn hotel brands such as Sandals and Holiday Inn. The prime minister has been a global champion of climate justice and slavery reparations."
"He has also prioritised education, allowing people who would not otherwise be able to afford university to get undergraduate and postgraduate degrees through scholarships. But the opposition has accused the ruling party of failure and broken promises, citing the rising cost of living and unemployment, especially among young people. The NDP has promised more and better-paid jobs, to address rising crime and violence and to improve healthcare and infrastructure."
Voters in St Vincent and the Grenadines will go to the polls on Thursday with Ralph Gonsalves seeking a sixth consecutive term as prime minister. The Unity Labour Party has been in power since 2001 and faces a close contest with the New Democratic Party. The ULP campaigns on its economic development record while the World Bank forecasts 4% growth in 2025 supported by tourism and infrastructure investment. The country has endured the pandemic, the 2021 La Soufriere eruption and Hurricane Beryl. Gonsalves oversaw the first international airport and a tourism boom. The opposition cites rising living costs and youth unemployment and pledges jobs, crime reduction, healthcare improvements and a citizenship-by-investment programme.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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