The Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottle, has been elected for a third term in a historic sweep. According to The Guardian, her Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has secured all 30 seats in the House of Assembly, unseating opposition leader Ralph Thorne.
Mottley's victory can be attributed to her strong global profile, which has garnered support from voters. This is especially significant as Barbados celebrates 75 years of having the right to vote without property ownership. In her victory speech, Mottley promised to prioritize the country's democracy and address issues such as the economy, cost of living, and its position on the world stage.
"Our mission is to uplift those in poverty and fight against injustice, creating opportunities for all," she declared.
At 60 years old, Mottley is the second leader in Barbados' history to serve over two consecutive terms. Thorne, who was first elected as a member of the BLP before joining the Democratic Labour Party, expressed disappointment in the results but acknowledged the voice of the people.
However, Thorne himself was unable to cast his vote as he was not registered in the district where he was living and competing.
As the easternmost country in the Caribbean, Barbados has faced some challenges with its voting system. Prior to the elections, discrepancies were found in the voting register, leading to calls for a delay from the head of the Caribbean Community's electoral observation mission and opposing candidates. However, the electoral commission maintained that citizens had enough time to correct any issues and assured the legitimacy of the process.
On February 12th, Mottley took the oath of office in a small ceremony attended by President Jeffrey Bostic, family members, and other guests. She then continued her celebrations on social media, sharing her gratitude for the support she has received from not only her constituents but also from people around the world, including Nigeria, Uganda, and Liberia.
In a Facebook post, she thanked her supporters and expressed her commitment to serving the people of Barbados with honor and hard work. With her strong leadership and widespread support, Mottley's third term as Prime Minister looks promising for the future of Barbados.
In another exciting development, Barbados has announced plans to remove Queen Elizabeth as its head of state. This decision has been met with approval and well wishes from around the world. As Mottley embarks on her third term, she remains determined to unite the nation and continue serving her country with dedication and humility.
