New SVG Prime Minister Godwin Friday
On 27 November 2025, voters across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines went to the polls — and delivered a stunning verdict. The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) achieved a sweeping victory, ending nearly a quarter-century of rule by the former governing Unity Labour Party (ULP) under longtime leader Ralph Gonsalves. With the landslide win, the NDP’s leader, Godwin Friday, is poised to become SVG’s seventh Prime Minister since independence in 1979.
In his victory address, Friday emphasised unity and economic revival. He pledged swift action to address unemployment, improve public services, bolster infrastructure, and rebuild public trust after years of political dominance by one party.
📊 The Numbers
- The NDP secured 14 out of 15 parliamentary seats, the largest super-majority since 1989.
- The ULP was reduced to a single seat, held by Ralph Gonsalves himself. All other cabinet members and senior party figures lost their seats.
- Voter turnout stood at ≈ 62.3%, with 103,524 registered voters and 64,504 casting ballots
🗳️ End of an Era
Dr Ralph Gonsalves — in power since 2001 — had sought a record sixth consecutive term, but faced mounting public dissatisfaction. Economic hardship, rising living costs, the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and fallout from the 2021 eruption of La Soufrière all fueled voter fatigue.
✅ Demand for Change
The NDP’s campaign resonated with voters hungry for fresh leadership. Promises to tackle youth unemployment, improve social services, and kickstart economic recovery struck a chord.
🌍 Possible Diplomatic Realignment
One wild card now under scrutiny is foreign policy: in past campaigns, the NDP had floated the idea of re-evaluating diplomatic ties with foreign allies. The new administration’s approach could reshape SVG’s international relationships
Official swearing-in is expected soon, as the country prepares to turn the page on a historic political era.
