St. Vincent and the Grenadines has entered a new political era after the New Democratic Party (NDP) clinched victory in the 2025 general election, ending the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) 24-year grip on power.
Dr. Godwin Friday, the NDP leader, is set to become the country’s fifth prime minister since independence in 1979. His win comes after a closely fought race against long-serving outgoing Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who had been seeking an unprecedented sixth consecutive term in office. Early results showed that NDP secured an early lead with 11 parliamentary seats, sealing the party’s return to government after a quarter-century in opposition.
The result brings a dramatic close to Gonsalves’ political era. At 79, he remains one of the Caribbean’s most enduring political figures, having first taken office in 2001 and becoming the longest-serving head of government in CARICOM.
More than 103,000 Vincentians were eligible to cast ballots across 250 polling stations nationwide. Voting began at 7:00 a.m. and proceeded steadily throughout the day, under the watch of the CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission and the National Monitoring and Consultative Mechanism. Supervisor of Elections Dora James reminded voters that proxy voting was not permitted and encouraged those with disabilities to make arrangements to visit their polling stations, where assistance was available.
This year’s contest was widely viewed as one of the tightest races in decades. Both major parties—the ULP and the NDP—contested all 15 constituencies, joined by the National Liberation Movement (NLM) and one independent candidate. The NDP’s campaign centered on calls for new leadership, improved governance, and relief from cost-of-living pressures, themes that appeared to resonate across battleground constituencies.
As Dr. Friday prepares to take office, attention will now shift to his policy priorities and how his administration plans to address the country’s economic and social challenges after years of calls for political renewal.
