This Caribbean Nation Has A New Leader

Prime Minister Elect of Saint Lucia, Allen Michael Chastanet of the United Workers Party (UWP).

By NAN Contributor

News Americas, CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Tues. June 7, 2016: Voters in the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia have chosen change – electing the opposition United Workers Party as their new government on June 6, 2016.

Economist Allen Michael Chastanet of the United Workers Party (UWP) won a resounding victory in Monday’s general election, claiming 11 of the 17 seats in preliminary results. Chastanet, a former Air Jamaica executive and local businessman, immediately signaled his intention to turn around an ailing economy, deal with a ballooning debt while at the same time keeping citizens at the heart of the new socio-economic plans for St Lucia.

“I want to say a big thank you to the people of St Lucia…let them know we are not going to let them down,” Chastanet said at his first news conference.

Chastanet was officially sworn in as Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, succeeding Dr. Kenny Anthony at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2016.

Meanwhile, the now former Prime Minister, Dr.  Anthony, extended congratulations to the UWP and leader Allen Chastanet on the win.

“I wish the people of Saint Lucia the very best as we embark on this new journey,” he said adding that he will be stepping down as leader of the Opposition and as political leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party but will continue to serve as a Member of Parliament for constituents of Vieux-Fort South.

Dr. Anthony is the latest incumbent Caribbean government to be voted out of power by a large scale majority of the electorate in recent months.