North & Central America and Caribbean

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Last reviewed: 04 June 2009

Country information

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POLITICS

The last election was in December 2005 when the ruling United Labour Party (ULP), which now holds 12 of the 15 seats inthe House of Assembly, was returned to power and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves was elected for his second term. Dr Gonsalves is an energetic grass-roots politician. Up until the elections in March 2001 the New Democratic Party (NDP) had enjoyed almost 17 years of continuous rule. Observers from the OAS, CARICOM, the Commonwealth Secretariat and Caribbean Rights were all present to monitor the elections. Education, job creation and poverty alleviation remain the Government's highest priorities. Dr Gonsalves claims that his Government has created over 3500 new jobs, and he has implemented a series of measures aimed at reducing poverty. These include the establishment of a Poverty Alleviation Fund, an increase in the Basic Needs Trust Fund, a comprehensive Social Recovery Programme and the development of a Poverty Reduction Strategy under the auspices of the new National Economic and Social Development Council. He also has a number of ambitious capital projects under consideration, including a new airport and a cross-country road, but is hampered by lack of finance.