The New Democratic Party (NDP) in St Vincent and the Grenadines has secured a historic landslide victory, winning 14 of 15 seats in the general election, according to preliminary results. The result marks a crushing defeat for the Unity Labour Party (ULP), which had held power since 2001.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, the Caribbean's longest-serving leader, was the only ULP candidate to retain his seat. He will hand over power to NDP leader Godwin Friday, a 66-year-old lawyer who has led the party since 2016 and served in parliament since 2001.
Regional leaders congratulated Friday on his victory. Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the election as 'an important moment for the Vincentian people' and pledged to strengthen cooperation. Taiwan's ambassador to St Vincent, Fiona Fan, also offered congratulations, though the NDP has previously proposed severing ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing.
The NDP campaigned on promises to create more and better-paid jobs, address rising crime and violence, and improve healthcare and infrastructure. It also pledged to introduce a citizenship-by-investment programme, making St Vincent the last independent member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States to offer such a scheme.
Political analyst Emanuel Quashie attributed the ULP's defeat to anti-incumbency sentiment after 24 years in power, weak campaign messaging, and public anger over the government's Covid-19 vaccine mandate, which led to protests and job losses. Gonsalves was hospitalised in 2021 after being struck by a stone during a demonstration against the mandate.
