In St. Kitts, Caribbean’s longest serving PM seeks 5th consecutive term in general elections

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts _ Prime Minister Denzil Douglas is seeking his fifth consecutive term leading St. Kitts and Nevis in general elections on the twin-island federation.

Douglas is the Caribbean’s longest serving leader, first coming to office 20 years ago. The 62-year-old prime minister is leading his governing Labor Party in Monday parliamentary elections against Team Unity, an opposition coalition of three factions led by veteran politician Timothy Harris.

Harris is a former minister in Douglas’ Cabinet who left the government about two years ago along with then-Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor to form their own political party.

Teams with the Caribbean Community, Organization of American States and other groups are observing the vote.

There are roughly 36,000 registered voters on the tiny islands with a tourism-based economy and a high rate of public debt.

The Associated Press