Dominica - Politics

Eugenia Charles led the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) to victory in the 1990 general election, but, in June 1995, shortly after her retirement from politics, the DFP lost its majority. The United Workers Party (UWP) emerged as election victor with 11 seats; the DFP and the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) each won five. Edison James, leader of the UWP, was invited by President Crispin Sorhaindo to form a government.

In October 1998 Vernon Shaw was elected president by the House of Assembly for a five-year term.

The economy continued to dominate the political agenda. The government’s top priority in the run-up to the 2000 elections had been to secure financial backing for its new airport project – the key to expansion of the tourism industry, which was set to become crucial as, inevitably, the international banana market became more competitive.

In the January 2000 general election, the DLP (ten seats) narrowly defeated the UWP (nine seats). The DLP formed a coalition with the DFP (two seats) and Roosevelt (Rosie) Douglas became prime minister. Following his sudden death in October 2000, he was succeeded by communications and works minister Pierre Charles.

In October 2003 Dr Nicholas Liverpool was elected president by the House of Assembly for a five-year term. In January 2004 Charles died suddenly and Roosevelt Skerrit was sworn in as prime minister.

In the general election in May 2005, the DLP took 12 seats, the UWP eight and independents one. DFP failed to win any seats and was unable to continue as coalition partner with DLP in government.