Opposition NDP party claims victory in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Elections News

The New Democratic Party ousted longtime Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who has served in the post since 2001.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is set for the first change of leadership in more than two decades, with opposition leader Godwin declaring victory in an election on Friday against longtime Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.

Preliminary results on Friday showed the conservative-leaning New Democratic Party winning 14 out of 15 constituencies in the Caribbean island nation.

This clears the way for opposition leader Gonsalves to become Prime Minister on Friday.

Although official results have not yet been released, a potential NDP victory is expected to end the Unity Labor Party’s 24-year rule.

The party addressed its constituents in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, sometimes known as SVG, in a social media post following Thursday’s election.

The Unity Labor Party said, “We love you, SVG, and we will continue to work and advocate for you.” “This is not the end, this 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 one of the last survivors of the first “Pink Tide” trend that swept Latin America in the late 1990s and early 2000s. During that period, leftist leaders were elected in many 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 raising wages, improving security and building closer ties with China.

While Gonsalves has been an ally of leftist governments in Cuba and Venezuela, his party has also maintained ties with Taiwan.

This makes Saint Vincent and the Grenadines one of the few countries left in Latin America to continue diplomatic relations with Taiwan, despite increasing pressure from China.

Only 12 countries worldwide, including the Vatican, maintain such relations.

Gonsalves was also a supporter of cooperation between Caribbean countries, and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness thanked him in a social media post for his “passion for regionalism and his unwavering belief in the value of collective action”.

Conservative leaders in the region congratulated him on his success on Friday, hoping it is an indicator of their own potential victory.

Former Prime Minister and leader of Saint Lucia’s conservative opposition, Alan Chastanet, said, “Congratulations to my brother.”

Chastanet is running against incumbent Prime Minister Philippe Pierre, who is supported by Gonsalves.