Kamla takes power again in Trinidad & Tobago

KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR led her United National Congress (UNC) to an emphatic victory in the general election in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday, April 28,2025, as the electorate said a resounding no to the People’s National Movement (PNM).

Announcing the preliminary results, the Elections and Boundaries Commission said the UNC captured 26 of the seats at stake, 19 of which were carried over from the 2020 elections.The PNM which held 22 seats in the last parliament, won 13 seats this time around, while the Tobago People’s Party captured the two Tobago constituency seats from the PNM. It was a clear message to PNM that the electorate in T& T was not pleased with the direction of the country.

Bissessar is having her second stint at the helm of government as prime minister having first served from May 24, 2010, to September 7, 2015.

During the campaign, the 73-year-old championed for senior citizens to keep their pensions; the re-opening of the Petrotrin refinery; public servants to be paid their rightful salary increases; the re-opening of the Couva Children’s Hospital; and the creation of more than 50,000 jobs.

“It is now that the real work starts. From day one, we will be focused on delivering on our promises, working to make every citizen’s life better, brighter, more prosperous,” Bissessar said during her victory speech.

At the party’s headquarters in Chaguanas following the UNC’s emphatic win, Bissessar reiterated her campaign slogan, “When UNC wins. Everybody wins,” adding, “the victory is yours. Now that the UNC has won, everybody wins.”

The UNC added the key marginal constituencies of Tunapuna, Aranguez/St Joseph, Toco/ Sangre Grande, La Horquetta/Talparo and San Fernando West to what is had while in opposition.

The party also took two traditional PNM strongholds – La Brea and Point Fortin as well. Those constituencies were won by Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU)/UNC candidates Clyde Elder and Ernesto Kesar, respectively. The OWTU was one of the members of the UNC’s Coalition of Interest (COI).

Outside her party’s headquarters, Bissessar gave the assurance that “no one will be left behind.” She promised to fight as the country’s prime minister “so that we all win together…We will work for you (the people). You are the real bosses and we are here to serve,” said Bissessar.

The PNM retained the constituencies of Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West, Port of Spain South, Arima, Laventille East/Morvant, Laventille West, Diego Martin West, Diego Martin North/East, Diego Martin Central, San Fernando East, La Brea, Point Fortin, Trinicity/Maloney, Arouca/ Lopinot and Malabar/Mausica.

In Port of Spain, at around 10:20 p.m on Monday, PNM political leader, Dr Keith Rowley and outgoing prime minister, StuartYoung, conceded defeat. Rowley said his party will prepare for its new role in opposition after it selects its new leader on Wednesday, April 30, with the Trinidad Express Newspaper reporting that at Wednesday’s meeting of the PNM’s General Council it was expected there will be a call for the immediate resignation of Rowley as leader of the party.

In Tobago, the PNM lost the Tobago West and Tobago East constituencies to the Tobago People’s Party candidates Joel Sampson and David Thomas, respectively.

According to preliminary data, there were approximately 1,154,708 people registered to vote in the election. A total of 17 political parties and 161 candidates contested the election, including three independent candidates.

( Source- Trinidad News Today,Trinidad Express )