This Caribbean Island Has A New Government

PNM’s Keith Rowley will be Trinidad & Tobago’s new PM for the next five years.

News Americas, PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Tues. Sept. 8, 2015: Trinidad & Tobago has become the latest Caribbean nation to be swept by the winds of change hat’s been blowing many governments out of office in recent months.

The incumbent government led by United National Congress leader, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar last night lost the 2015 election to the main opposition, The People’s National Movement (PNM), led by Keith Rowley.

The PNM won the 2015 general election by a margin of 23-18 in unofficial results released. Official results are not expected until later today.

PNM supporters, in true carnival style, dancing on the main road in Tunapuna on September 5, 2015, as they made their way to Tacarigua, for the last rally before the general election, Monday September 7, 2015, in Trinidad & Tobago. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)

But Persad-Bissessar, whose coalition government had previously held 29 of 41 seats in Parliament, conceded before midnight last night by congratulating the new government but not mentioning Rowley by name.

She also insisted that the UNC had won the popular vote and said she looked forward to serving in the country’s parliament in the opposition.

PNM supporters welcomed the win last night singing “Bye bye, Kamla, bye bye” at Balisier House in Port-of-Spain.

Blaiser House, Trinidad.

Rowley speaking to supporters assured he will govern for all.

Independent Liberal Party leader Jack Warner, who failed to win any seats in the election, took credit for pushing Persad-Bissessar out of government.

Trinidad & Tobago is the latest Caribbean nation in recent months to see its incumbent government swept out of office. Montserrat, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Anguilla and Guyana have all seen changes in recent months.