The Gaston Browne led Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party has regained power for another term after narrowly scraping a victory in the country’s January 18th General Elections this week.
The party will proceed into its third consecutive term in office as a result.
At the end of counting the ABLP had claimed 9 seats, a significant drop from its former stronghold of 15 of the 17 available seats in the House of Assembly – signifying increasing support for their opponents.
And although the United Progressive Party fell short of victory, they did manage to take over several seats from the ABLP, and walk away with 6 seats in the House of Assembly.
Additionally, one seat was retained by the Barbuda People’s Movement, and another was won by independent candidate for St Peter Asot Michael, who is a former member of the ABLP who was reportedly ousted amid a bitter fallout with the leadership of the party.
Prime Minister Gaston Brown secured his seat in St John’s City West for the 5th consecutive time, securing an over 500 vote lead against his UPP competitor Alister Thomas.
Browne has yet to lose a single election in this seat since throwing his hat into the ring in 1999.