Opposition Wins St Lucia Election

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Caribbean tide of opposition election victories has extended to St Lucia.

The Opposition United Workers Party won the country’s election this week, ousting the ruling St Lucia Labour Party, which had been in power since 2011.

The win makes Allen Chastenet the country’s new Prime Minister; Chastene was to be sworn in Tuesday afternoon.

Chastenet’s most recent government post had been as Tourism Minister during the UWP’s previous administration.

Incoming Prime Minister Allen Chastenet

He has years of experience in the tourism industry, including as a vice president at Air Jamaica; it’s hoped that the move could boost what is the island’s dominant economic driver.

The UWP won 11 seats to the Labour Party’s six seats.

“We immediately commence our job of building a new, prosperous and progressive Saint Lucia for the benefit of all,” the party said in a statement on Facebook. “Thank you to everyone who supported our candidates and campaign in one way or the other. We are committed to delivering on our promises and will spare no effort in our quest to make Saint Lucia the Best place to Live, the Best place to Work, the Best place to Visit and the Best place to Invest.”