Opposition NDP party claims victory in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

For the first time in more than 20 years, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ leaders will change, with opposition leader Godwin winning on Friday in an election against Ralph Gonsalves, the country’s longest-standing prime minister.

The Caribbean island nation’s preliminary results released on Friday show that the conservative-leaning New Democratic Party won 14 of its 15 electoral districts.

That makes it possible for Friday, the opposition leader, to appoint Gonsalves as prime minister.

The NDP’s likely victory is expected to put an end to the Unity Labour Party’s 24 years in power, despite the unofficial results still being available.

Following the election on Thursday, the party addressed its St. Vincent and the Grenadines constituents in a social media post.

The Unity Labour Party declared, “We love you, SVG, and we will continue to work and advocate for you.” This is the beginning, not the end, according to the saying.

Gonsalves has been in office since 2001, making him one of the longest-serving democratic leaders in the world.

In addition, he was one of the final figures left of the first “Pink Tide” craze that dominated Latin America between the late 1990s and the early 2000s. Left-wing leaders were elected in a number of nations during that time, from Brazil to Venezuela.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which has 32 islands and cayes, has a population of 111, 000 people, and only nine of them are inhabited.

The NDP launched a campaign in the island nation with the goal of boosting wages, enhancing security, and strengthening ties with China.

Gonsalves has aided left-wing governments in Venezuela and Cuba, but his party has also maintained ties to Taiwan.

In spite of increasing pressure from China, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is one of the few Latin American nations that still has diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Only 12 nations maintain such ties, including the Vatican, worldwide.

Gonsalves also endorsed cooperation between the Caribbean countries, and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed his appreciation for his “passion for regionalism and his unwavering belief in the value of collective action” in a social media post.

Conservative leaders in the area have praised Friday’s accomplishments, hoping that it will give them hope for future victories.

“Congratulations to my brother,” said former prime minister and opposition leader St Lucia, Allen Chastanet.