Jesma Paul-Victor has been reappointed as Leader of the Opposition in Dominica’s House of Assembly, following her official appointment on January 16, 2026. She took the prescribed oath of office on Monday, resuming the role she first held after the 2022 general election.
Paul-Victor, the parliamentary representative for the Salisbury constituency, was reappointed after Marigot MP Anthony Charles—Dominica’s only other elected opposition member—wrote to the President requesting that she be named to the position. Both Paul-Victor and Charles entered Parliament as independent candidates after winning seats in the December 20, 2022 snap general election.
With just two opposition MPs elected, neither was able to command majority support among non-government members, as required under the Constitution. To address this, the two agreed to a power-sharing arrangement shortly after the election, under which they would alternate serving as Leader of the Opposition.
Paul-Victor was first appointed to the post on December 20, 2022, for an 18-month term, which was scheduled to end on June 19, 2024. Under the agreement, Charles was expected to assume the role thereafter. Paul-Victor submitted her resignation on June 20, 2024, but the President’s office later indicated that, under Section 66 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the appointment of a Leader of the Opposition requires a joint submission from opposition MPs. In the absence of a jointly signed letter from both Paul-Victor and Charles, Charles’ appointment could not proceed.
At the time, Charles told Dominica News Online that he remained ready to take up the leadership role and stressed the importance of honouring the agreed 18-month rotation. He also announced that he had joined the newly formed United Progressive Party (UPP) and spoke of plans to work with other independent candidates from the last election to strengthen opposition coordination. However, he noted then that he had not received communication from Paul-Victor regarding the required joint letter.
With the President’s confirmation of Paul-Victor’s reappointment, she now formally resumes duties as Leader of the Opposition. It remains unclear whether the earlier power-sharing arrangement between the two MPs has been formally resolved, as Charles has yet to assume the position despite the initial agreement.
