Gonsalves Aims for Historic Sixth Term in St Vincent Election

Voters in St Vincent and the Grenadines will cast their ballots on March 7, 2024, as Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves seeks a historic sixth consecutive term. The election is poised to be a closely contested race between Gonsalves’ ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) and the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), which has been gaining traction among the electorate.

In the previous election, the ULP secured nine out of fifteen parliamentary seats, despite the NDP winning the popular vote. Gonsalves has focused his campaign on the ULP’s record of economic development, emphasizing a recent World Bank assessment that predicts robust economic growth of 4% in 2025. The report highlights that, despite facing numerous challenges in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the catastrophic La Soufrière volcanic eruption in 2021, the economy has shown resilience, supported mainly by tourism and infrastructure investments.

Gonsalves has overseen significant advancements during his tenure, notably the construction of the country’s first international airport, which has attracted major hotel brands such as Sandals and Holiday Inn. He has also championed initiatives in education, providing scholarships that enable citizens to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Notably, he has been an advocate for climate justice and reparations for slavery.

Despite these achievements, the opposition NDP accuses the ULP of failing to address the rising cost of living and high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth. The NDP has promised to create more and better-paying jobs, improve healthcare, and enhance infrastructure. Additionally, they propose a citizenship-by-investment program to attract foreign investment, a strategy that has gained popularity in other Caribbean nations.

Criticism of Gonsalves’ leadership has emerged, particularly regarding his age. Historian Adrian Fraser noted that Gonsalves, who is 79 and will turn 80 next year, faces calls for a change in leadership. The NDP, under the leadership of Godwin Friday, has capitalized on this sentiment. Friday has been a member of parliament since 2001 and assumed leadership of the NDP in 2016. His party has also focused on the controversial vaccine mandate during the pandemic, which resulted in job losses for frontline workers.

The political landscape has been further complicated by questions surrounding the NDP’s foreign policy stance, particularly regarding diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The NDP has previously indicated its intention to adopt a “one China” policy, acknowledging Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China. This shift could have significant implications for St Vincent and the Grenadines, which has maintained strong ties with Taiwan, leading to benefits such as scholarships and infrastructure support.

Emanuel Quashie, an international relations lecturer at the University of the West Indies, emphasized the need for the NDP to clarify its position on Taiwan. He warned that a sudden switch from Taiwan to China could have serious economic repercussions, especially for students currently studying in Taiwan and ongoing projects funded by Taiwanese support, including a state-of-the-art hospital.

As the election approaches, both parties are making their final appeals to voters, with the outcome set to shape the future of St Vincent and the Grenadines in the coming years. Gonsalves’ bid for a sixth term reflects not only his political ambitions but also the broader challenges facing the nation as it continues to recover from recent adversities.