El opositor Partido de los Trabajadores se impuso en las elecciones generales de la isla
UWP wins general election
The United Workers Party (UWP) has been declared the winner of the 2016 general election, after claiming 11 of the 17 constituency seats.
The ‘Flambeau’ will now form Saint Lucia’s new government, after the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) only managed to win six constituency seats.
Chastanet secured 2,495 votes to his opponent’s 1,446 to become the next Member of Parliament (MP) of Micoud South.
But the biggest win for the night was in Gros-Islet, where former minister, Lenard ‘Spider’ Montoute crushed SLP’s Emma Hippolyte, by winning 6,344 votes to her 4,552.
Former Prime Minister, Stephenson King also won his Castries North seat by a massive margin, obtaining 3,774 votes to the 1,482 of the SLP’s John Charlery.
Newcomers, Dominic Fedee and Bradley Felix also surprised the nation by wining their seats in Anse La Raye/Canaries and Choiseul/ Saltibus respectively.
Former minister Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, Herod Stanislaus, Edmund Estaphane, Guy Joseph and Ezechiel Joseph also won their respective constituencies.
SLP’s Political leader, Kenny Anthony regained his Vieux Fort South seat, gaining 2,439 votes, and SLP Deputy Political leader Philip J. Pierre gained 2,901 votes to secure another win.
Alva Baptiste also won the Laborie seat by 2,094 to 1468 votes, while Ernest Hilaire, Moses Jn Baptiste and Shawn Edward also won their respective constituencies.
This year’s election saw a small voter turnout, the same as the 2011 general election.
Anthony steps down as SLP leader
Former Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has announced plans to step down as the political leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) following defeat in this year’s general election.
“I do not intend to serve as the Leader of the Opposition and indeed, Political Leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party. I will, however, continue to serve my constituents of Vieux-Fort South and support my other Parliamentary colleagues in their various constituencies as they seek to protect the interests of their constituents,” he said.
Anthony and his party conceded defeat and sent congratulatory message to Prime Minister -elect Allen Chastanet and the United Workers Party (UWP) for the resounding victory at the polls.
“On behalf of the SLP and also on my personal behalf, I congratulate Mr. Allen Chastanet, Leader of the United Workers Party on his victory at the polls today, June 6, 2016,” Dr. Anthony said in a Facebook post.
The former University of the West Indies law lecture said on all accounts, it was a convincing victory, and it is clear there was a major national swing against the SLP.
“I wish the people of Saint Lucia the very best as we embark on this new journey. I am deeply grateful for the honour of serving the people of Saint Lucia as Prime Minister for nearly three terms,” he added.
He also thanked the people of Vieux-Fort South for electing him as their MP for the fifth time.