May 2017 Financial News

Bahamas elects a new prime minister, Hubert Minnis

May 12, 2017

NASSAU, Bahamas (AFP) — The Bahamas voted in a new leader Wednesday, with Hubert Minnis, who campaigned on a platform of change, beating scandal-tainted incumbent Perry Christie in general election on the island archipelago. “My fellow Bahamians, the people have spoken,” Minnis, a doctor, said in a victory rally before thousands of supporters. “We have been given a mandate for change.”

Christie, leader of Progressive Liberal Party, conceded defeat in a statement in which he said he had made a congratulatory telephone call to Minnis wishing the leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) success.

“I understand as perhaps few others the challenges that await Dr Minnis, and I wish him only success on behalf of our nation. He has my full support for a smooth transition,” he said.

Christie, who was finishing his second non-consecutive term as prime minister, was dogged by scandals and double-digit unemployment.

The long-delayed opening of a US$4.2-billion mega-resort called Baha Mar, and last month's spectacular failure of the Fyre music festival — which stranded partygoers who paid as much as US$100,000 to attend — were factors in the vote.

Minnis campaigned on a platform of change, seeking to implement term limits on the prime minister and promote “Bahamian ownership in the economy”, according to his website.

“I support the FNM 100 per cent, because I feel Christie was not doing a good job in the five years we gave him,” Nassau resident Jmeail Dames said of the prime minister's current term.

“Dr Minnis has endured trial after trial and came out victorious. He has a task ahead of him,” said FMN supporter Travis Edgecombe, 28. “But I do believe that this new Administration will provide new and innovative plans to create opportunities for Bahamians.”

MIDDLE FINGER

Christie, 73, prompted condemnation earlier this year when he denied corruption accusations by raising his middle finger to reporters.

His education minister, Jerome Fitzgerald, is also embroiled in controversy over a shady multimillion-dollar business allegedly seeking contracts from the Baha Mar resort, which is controlled by Chinese investors.

Under construction for almost a decade with Chinese financing and construction workers, Baha Mar was taken over by a Chinese conglomerate in 2016 after its original developer tried to file for bankruptcy in the United States.

The archipelago, which gained independence from Britain in 1973, heavily depends on tourism and foreign investment in resorts and other attractions.

More than 180,000 people are registered to cast their ballots for the 39 seats in the House of Assembly.

Voting took place without incident. However, a polling station on the main island New Providence opened late following concerns about ballots, and some of those waiting left without voting.

International observers the Caribbean Community, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, and the United States were invited to monitor the election.

Source:
Jamaica Observer
Friday May 12, 2017

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business-report/bahamas-elects-a-new-prime-minister-hubert-minnis_98560?profile=1056