Pres Ali hails Browne’s re-election as Antigua & Barbuda PM

–  ledges continued support for Caribbean integration

On his re-election as Prime Minister (PM) of Antigua and Barbuda (A&B) for the fourth consecutive term, President Dr Irfaan Ali has congratulated Gaston Browne on winning another election.
In a social media post, President Ali stated, “This decisive victory is a clear reflection of the strong support of the Antiguan and Barbudan people and the deep confidence they continue to place in his leadership and vision for the nation.”
On this note, the Guyanese President expressed that he looks forward to working closely with PM Browne to advance the nations’ shared priorities, particularly in strengthening regional integration and cooperation.

“Together, we will continue to build a more resilient, prosperous, and secure Caribbean Community for all our people. I wish him and his administration every success as they embark on this new term,” Dr Ali added.
In addition, the United States has also congratulated Browne on his electoral victory as PM of A&B. “We look forward to continued collaboration with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to advance shared priorities, including strengthening regional security by deepening cooperation to counter illegal immigration, transnational criminal organisations, and illicit trafficking. Enhanced collaboration in these areas will support greater stability and security in our hemisphere,” the US State Department stated.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that the incumbent Browne led the A&B Labour Party (ABLP) to an unprecedented fourth consecutive electoral victory, following a snap election that reduced the main opposition party to a single-seat presence in parliament.
Official results released in the pre-dawn hours of Friday confirmed the landslide, prompting supporters to take to the streets in celebration. The ABLP secured 15 of the twin island nation’s 17 parliamentary seats, while Jamale Pringle of the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) was left as its lone standard-bearer after his party’s seat count collapsed from five to one.
He will be joined on the opposition bench by returning member of Parliament Trevor Walker, who has won on the Barbuda People’s Movement ticket in every election (except 2014) since 2004.
Triggered two years ahead of the constitutional deadline, the snap election followed a campaign dominated by the rising cost of living and infrastructure development.