PM Chastanet does not rule out elections in September

During a radio interview with his attache Norbert Williams today, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet did not rule out the possibility of elections being held in September. This week, a motion seeking an extension of the state of emergency in Saint Lucia to September 30 2020, was passed in the House of Assembly and Senate.

In Chastanet’s detailed presentation to Parliament, he said that as the government strives to reopen the country under a phased approach, they are guided by the rest of the world. With many countries moving to reopen their borders and waves of recurring infections, he said, it is important that Saint Lucia is able to react quickly by implementing the necessary measures to reduce and contain the spread of COVID-19. He also indicated that they will constantly scrutinize the situation and their performance, with the view to reducing the time frame if positive trends are recorded.

Interviewing the prime minister today, Norbert Williams said: “PM, there are questions which have been floating around with regard to the state of emergency and the intention of the government to call early elections. What do you say about that?”

Said Chastanet: “The state of emergency was put in place because we’re not out of the woods. As well as we have done, the virus can come back to Saint Lucia very quickly, simply because it’s still global.

“You need a state of emergency to deal with the virus continuing; we need it because of the curfew — and the curfew is a continual reminder to everyone that we’re still in a state of emergency —and you also need it for the Cuban doctors and nurses that are currently here in Saint Lucia. So there is no other hidden agenda with regards to snap elections.”

“So then you mean we’re not going to be seeing elections in September?” his attache asked.

“I never said that,” said Chastanet. “That is the purview and the right of the prime minister to determine when elections are going to be.”

Opposition MPs did not support the 4-month extension of the state of emergency, raising various concerns about the need for it. Dennery North MP Shawn Edward described it as “wicked, ill-advised, and oppressive” —and meant to stifle freedom of expression. “It is an abuse of power,” said Edward, “it is meant to suppress the masses, and it is also a tool to clamp down on civil servants who are already agitated over salary considerations.

“I believe that this state of emergency is meant to suppress certain organisations and people in this country, including the opposition. It will not be much longer before we go to the polls. And in this state of emergency, the extension, this is designed to ensure that civil society organisations and opposition political parties do not get their platform on which to take their issues to the people,” said the MP.

Looking ahead at the next elections this week, confident Opposition Leader Philip J. Pierre said: “…Of course we want to win and the people will make us win.”