December 2025 General Election: SLP Wins Landslide
On December 1, 2025, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) won 14 of 17 seats in the House of Assembly, securing Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre a historic second consecutive term — the first PM re-elected since Kenny Anthony in 2001, breaking a 24-year streak of single-term governments.
The United Workers Party (UWP) was reduced to a single seat (Micoud South), held by former PM Allen Chastanet. Two independent candidates aligned with the government also won seats. Voter turnout reached 61.1% with 102,023 votes cast.
Key government priorities for the second term: Sovereign Wealth Fund operationalization, Hewanorra Airport completion (US$157M), universal health coverage, geothermal energy development, personal income tax reform, and VAT removal on essential food items.
National Symbols
Flag of Saint Lucia
Cerulean blue field with a gold triangle before a black arrowhead triangle, both superimposed on a white triangle. The blue represents the sky and sea, the gold symbolizes sunshine, and the black and white represent the dual heritage of the people.
Coat of Arms of Saint Lucia
Features a shield with a bamboo cross, flanked by two Saint Lucia parrots. The motto reads “The Land, The People, The Light”.
National Details
National Anthem: “Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia” — adopted at independence, February 22, 1979
National Motto: “The Land, The People, The Light”
National Day: February 22 (Independence Day, 1979)
Government Type: Parliamentary democracy under constitutional monarchy (Commonwealth realm)
Head of State
Governor-General: Sir Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, GCMG
Appointed November 1, 2024 by King Charles III, after serving as Acting Governor-General for three years following the resignation of Sir Neville Cenac. Invested as Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) at Buckingham Palace on March 13, 2025.
Sir Cyril Charles is the son of George F.L. Charles, Saint Lucia’s first Chief Minister and founder of the Saint Lucia Labour Party.
The Governor-General serves as the representative of the Monarch (King Charles III) in Saint Lucia. The role is largely ceremonial, with key constitutional functions including:
- • Appointing the Prime Minister (leader of the majority party/coalition)
- • Opening and dissolving Parliament
- • Appointing 2 independent Senators
- • Giving royal assent to legislation
- • Appointing the Leader of the Opposition
Head of Government
Prime Minister: Hon. Philip J. Pierre
Party: Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP)
Constituency: Castries East (won with 77.8% in 2025)
First elected PM: July 2021
Re-elected: December 1, 2025 — first PM re-elected since 2001, breaking a 24-year streak of single-term governments
Portfolios held: Finance, Economic Development; Justice & National Security; Constituency Development & People Empowerment
Deputy Prime Minister: Dr. Ernest Hilaire
Constituency: Castries South (won with 67.7% in 2025) | Portfolios: Tourism, Commerce, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture & Heritage
Cabinet Ministers
The Cabinet was sworn in following the December 1, 2025 general election. It comprises 16 ministers including the Prime Minister, drawn from elected MPs and one appointed Senator.
| # | Minister | Portfolio | Constituency | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Philip J. Pierre | Prime Minister; Finance, Economic Development; Justice & National Security | Castries East | SLP |
| 2 | Dr. Ernest Hilaire | Deputy PM; Tourism, Commerce, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture & Heritage | Castries South | SLP |
| 3 | Hon. Stephenson King | Public Service, Transport, Information & Utilities Regulations | Castries North | IND |
| 4 | Hon. Shawn Edward | Infrastructure, Ports Services & Energy | Dennery North | SLP |
| 5 | Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste | Health, Wellness & Nutrition | Vieux-Fort North | SLP |
| 6 | Hon. Alva Baptiste | External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation & Diaspora Affairs | Laborie/Augier | SLP |
| 7 | Hon. Kenson Casimir | Education, Youth Development, Sports & Digital Transformation | Gros Islet | SLP |
| 8 | Hon. Richard Frederick | Housing, Local Government & Urban Renewal | Castries Central | IND |
| 9 | Hon. Wayne Girard | Economic Development & The Youth Economy | Anse-La-Raye/Canaries | SLP |
| 10 | Hon. Emma Hippolyte | Equity, Labour, Gender Affairs, Social Justice & Consumer Welfare | Soufriere/Fond St Jacques | SLP |
| 11 | Hon. Jeremiah Norbert | Home Affairs, Crime Prevention, Conflict Resolution & Persons with Disabilities | Micoud North | SLP |
| 12 | Hon. Danny Butcher | Education (Early Childhood, Continuing & Special Education, Digital Transformation) | Vieux-Fort South | SLP |
| 13 | Hon. Keithson Charles | Physical Development & Public Utilities | Choiseul/Saltibus | SLP |
| 14 | Hon. John Paul Estephane | Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture & Heritage | Babonneau | SLP |
| 15 | Hon. Lisa Jawahir | Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security & Climate Change | Castries South East | SLP |
| 16 | Sen. Dr. Shanda Harracksingh | Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister | Senator (appointed) | SLP |
Note on Independents
Stephenson King (former PM, 2007–2011) and Richard Frederick are independent MPs who serve in PM Pierre’s cabinet, giving the government an effective parliamentary majority of 16 out of 17 seats.
Parliament of Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia has a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Assembly and the Senate.
House of Assembly (Lower House)
17 elected members (single-member constituencies, first-past-the-post)
Speaker: Hon. Claudius James Francis (reappointed December 16, 2025; served as Speaker since 2021)
Current composition:
- • SLP: 14 seats
- • Independent (govt-aligned): 2 seats
- • UWP (opposition): 1 seat
Senate (Upper House)
11 appointed members (not elected)
- • 6 appointed by the Prime Minister
- • 3 appointed on advice of the Opposition Leader
- • 2 appointed by the Governor-General (independent)
President of the Senate: Hon. Alvina Reynolds (reappointed December 16, 2025)
Senate Composition (Appointed December 15, 2025)
| Senator | Appointed By | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hon. Alvina Reynolds | Prime Minister | President of the Senate |
| Dr. Shanda Lee Harracksingh | Prime Minister | Cabinet Minister |
| Ignatius Jean | Prime Minister | — |
| Dr. Virginia Poyotte | Prime Minister | — |
| Dr. Allison A. Jean | Prime Minister | — |
| Mtonya Deterville | Prime Minister | — |
| Tommy Descartes | Opposition Leader | — |
| Elisha Norbert | Opposition Leader | — |
| Angelina Phera Polius | Opposition Leader | — |
| Embert Charles | Governor-General | Independent |
| Deale A. L. Lee | Governor-General | Independent |
Opposition
Leader of the Opposition: Allen Chastanet (UWP)
Constituency: Micoud South (won with 58.6% in 2025) | Former PM: 2016–2021
Chastanet is the sole UWP member in the House of Assembly following the party’s historic defeat in December 2025. He tendered his resignation as UWP Political Leader in early December 2025, but the UWP National Council unanimously rejected his resignation, and he continues as party leader pending the next convention.
Political Parties
| Party | Founded | Ideology | Leader | 2025 Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) | 1949 | Centre-left, social democracy | Philip J. Pierre | 14 |
| United Workers Party (UWP) | 1964 | Centre-right, liberal conservatism | Allen Chastanet | 1 |
| Lucian People’s Movement (LPM) | ~2010s | Populist | Therold Prudent | 0 |
| National Conservative Party (NCP) | Recent | Conservative | — | 0 |
Two-Party Dominance
Saint Lucia’s politics has been dominated by the SLP and UWP since independence in 1979. The two parties have alternated in power, with the SLP’s 2025 re-election being the first time since 2001 that a governing party won consecutive terms.
2025 General Election Results
The general election held on December 1, 2025 saw the SLP win a second consecutive term — a historic achievement breaking a 24-year pattern of single-term governments.
Overall Results
| Party | Seats | Votes | Vote Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLP | 14 | 57,169 | 56.0% | +1 seat |
| UWP | 1 | 38,737 | 38.0% | −1 seat |
| Independent | 2 | 6,075 | 6.0% | 0 |
| NCP | 0 | 42 | 0.04% | — |
| Total | 17 | 102,023 | 100% | — |
Constituency Results
| Constituency | Winner | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gros Islet | Kenson Casimir | SLP | 8,175 | 67.9% |
| Babonneau | John Paul Estephane | SLP | 3,918 | 58.8% |
| Castries North | Stephenson King | IND | 3,485 | 66.0% |
| Castries East | Philip J. Pierre | SLP | 4,014 | 77.8% |
| Castries Central | Richard Frederick | IND | 2,151 | 59.5% |
| Castries South | Dr. Ernest Hilaire | SLP | 3,228 | 67.7% |
| Anse-La-Raye/Canaries | Wayne Girard | SLP | 2,746 | 56.0% |
| Soufriere/Fond St Jacques | Emma Hippolyte | SLP | 2,622 | 51.8% |
| Choiseul/Saltibus | Keithson Charles | SLP | 2,941 | 53.9% |
| Laborie/Augier | Alva Baptiste | SLP | 2,612 | 81.2% |
| Vieux-Fort South | Danny Butcher | SLP | 3,564 | 75.2% |
| Vieux-Fort North | Moses Jn Baptiste | SLP | 2,444 | 72.4% |
| Micoud South | Allen Chastanet | UWP | 2,292 | 58.6% |
| Micoud North | Jeremiah Norbert | SLP | 2,321 | 57.4% |
| Dennery South | Paul Prospere | SLP | 1,566 | 50.9% |
| Dennery North | Shawn Edward | SLP | 2,786 | 58.0% |
| Castries South East | Lisa Jawahir | SLP | 4,299 | 57.4% |
Judiciary
Saint Lucia’s legal system is based on English common law. The judiciary operates independently of the executive and legislature.
Court System
- • Magistrate’s Courts — first instance for minor matters
- • High Court — serious criminal and civil cases
- • Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal — appellate jurisdiction
- • Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) — final appellate court (since July 2023)
CCJ Accession (July 2023)
Saint Lucia acceded to the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice in July 2023, replacing the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London as the final court of appeal. The CCJ also serves as the original jurisdiction court for CARICOM treaty matters.
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC)
Saint Lucia is a member of the ECSC, which serves six independent OECS states and three British territories. The ECSC comprises the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal, headquartered in Castries, Saint Lucia.
Key Policy Initiatives
Major government policies and legislative actions shaping Saint Lucia’s economic and social development:
Sovereign Wealth Fund (Passed March 2025)
Cabinet approved on February 3, 2025; the SWF Bill was passed by Parliament in March 2025. Funded by CBI/CIP proceeds, the Fund’s objectives include sustainable economic development, intergenerational wealth preservation, fiscal stabilization, and climate resilience. The SWF is now in the operationalization phase, with governance structures being established.
Budget 2025/26 — Record EC$2.06 Billion
The largest budget in Saint Lucia’s history. Capital expenditure set at EC$325.6M (27% allocated to the Infrastructure Department). Revenue projected at EC$1.71B (EC$1.45B tax, EC$171.9M non-tax).
| Measure | Details |
|---|---|
| Personal tax allowance | Raised from EC$18,400 to EC$40,000 — more than doubling the threshold |
| Pension income | Tax exempt from January 2025 |
| NIC pensions | CPI-linked from July 2025 |
| VAT on food items | VAT removed from 70+ food items effective July 2026 |
| Airport departure charge | Halved from EC$68 to EC$34 |
| Cybersecurity & AI | New tax incentives introduced |
| Tax amnesty | Extended to May 2026 |
| EC$600 pensioner bonus | One-off EC$600 bonus payment to pensioners |
| NIC contributions | 3.9% increase in NIC contribution rates |
Public Sector Wages
6% increase for 2022–2025, followed by a 7% increase for 2025–2028, benefiting 11,000+ public employees.
Climate Change Act 2024
Landmark legislation formalizing the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) and embedding climate governance into law. Among the first such acts in the Eastern Caribbean.
Climate Finance Unit (Sept 2025)
Launched in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), funded by the NDC Partnership Action Fund. Coordinates climate finance mobilization for Saint Lucia.
Universal Health Coverage
UHC roadmap unveiled to Parliament in April 2025. The health budget exceeds XCD $206M (largest ever), with a proposed three-tier benefit structure.
Recent Legislation & Social Programs
Unemployment Insurance Program (Aug 2025)
Launched in August 2025 through the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). Provides temporary income support to qualifying workers who lose their jobs involuntarily. Part of the broader NIC reform package that also included the 3.9% increase in NIC contribution rates and CPI-linked pension adjustments.
Cannabis & Industrial Hemp Bill 2025
Introduced to Parliament in 2025 but not yet passed. The bill proposes a regulated framework for cannabis cultivation, processing, and sale, including an industrial hemp sector. If enacted, it would create a licensing regime under a Cannabis Regulatory Authority, with provisions for small-farmer participation and export.
NIC Reform Package
- • 3.9% increase in NIC contribution rates
- • NIC pensions now CPI-linked from July 2025
- • EC$600 one-off bonus to all NIC pensioners
- • Unemployment Insurance Program launched August 2025
- • Pension income fully tax exempt from January 2025
ePassport & Border Modernization
Saint Lucia began issuing ICAO-compliant ePassports in 2025 as part of a broader border security and digital identity modernization programme. The biometric ePassport facilitates faster processing at international borders.
Climate Change Impact & Resilience
Climate change poses an existential threat to Saint Lucia’s economy, infrastructure, and natural resources. The government has responded with the Caribbean’s most ambitious climate policy framework, anchored by the NDC 3.0 and the Climate Change Act 2024.
NDC 3.0 — Nationally Determined Contribution (February 2025)
Saint Lucia submitted the first NDC 3.0 in the Caribbean in February 2025 — the most ambitious climate plan in the region.
| Renewable energy target (2030) | 40% of electricity generation |
| Renewable energy target (2035) | 46% of electricity generation |
| Transport sector | Emissions reduction targets included for the first time |
| Adaptation priorities | Water security, coastal resilience, agriculture, fisheries |
| Current diesel dependency | ~95% of electricity generated by diesel (LUCELEC) |
Climate Projections for Saint Lucia
| Risk Factor | Projection | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | +1.0–1.5°C by 2050 | Increased cooling costs, heat stress on agriculture |
| Precipitation | −15% to −48% (scenario-dependent) | Water stress affects agriculture, tourism, residential development |
| Sea level rise | 0.3–0.6 meters by 2100 | Coastal property flood/erosion risk; infrastructure exposure |
| Hurricane intensity | Fewer but stronger storms expected | Rising insurance costs for climate-exposed assets |
| Coral bleaching | Accelerating with ocean warming | Impacts dive tourism and fisheries productivity |
Climate Adaptation Projects
| Project | Funding | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| FISH-ADAPT (GEF/FAO/GCF) | US$16.7 million | Caribbean fisheries climate adaptation — addresses fish stock shifts and coral degradation. Saint Lucia is a direct beneficiary. |
| World Bank Flood Resilience | US$25 million | Flood risk management: infrastructure improvements in flood-prone areas, early warning systems. |
| CCRIF SPC (Parametric Insurance) | Government premiums | Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility — rapid payouts within 14 days after qualifying hurricane, earthquake, or excess rainfall events. |
| Geothermal Drilling (RESDP) | US$35.8M (CIF/World Bank) | Exploratory geothermal drilling at Sulphur Springs — could provide baseload renewable generation. |
Climate & Business Opportunities
The transition creates significant investment opportunities in: renewable energy installation and maintenance, water conservation technology, climate-resilient agriculture (hydroponics, drip irrigation), coastal protection engineering, green construction, and EV charging infrastructure. The Caribbean Greenpreneurs programme offers up to US$50,000 in interest-free loans for green enterprises. See Startups & Sectors and Key Sectors.
Key Regulatory Bodies
These agencies are critical for business operations and investment in Saint Lucia:
| Body | Role | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) | Financial sector supervision | Licenses and regulates insurance, money services, international banks, mutual funds, credit unions |
| Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) | Monetary authority | Manages the EC Dollar, supervises commercial banks, maintains the 48-year USD peg (XCD 2.70 = USD 1) |
| National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC) | Utility regulation (est. 2016) | Regulates electricity, water, and sewerage services; approves tariff changes |
| National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) | Telecoms regulator | Licenses telecom operators, manages spectrum, enforces competition |
| Data Protection Commissioner | Privacy & data protection | Enforces the Data Protection Act 2011; registers data controllers |
| Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards (SLBS) | Standards & quality | Product testing, certification, and national standards development |
| Invest Saint Lucia | Investment promotion | Attracts FDI, supports investors, manages free zones and industrial estates |
| Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) | AML/CFT monitoring | Monitors suspicious transactions and enforces anti-money laundering legislation |
| Youth Economy Agency (YEA) | Youth entrepreneurship (est. 2022) | Provides grants, loans, and training for youth entrepreneurs aged 18–35 under the Youth Economy Act |
Related Pages
Country Overview
Geography, economy, demographics, and infrastructure.
Legal & Tax
Tax framework, labour law, property regulations, and recent legislation.
Business Setup
Company registration, banking, and regulatory requirements.
Citizenship by Investment
CBI programme routes, costs, and eligibility requirements.