Trinidad and Tobago’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Stuart Young, has called for a general election just a day after assuming office, in a move widely viewed as an effort to secure his own mandate.
Young, who previously served as the country’s Minister of Energy, was sworn in as Prime Minister on Monday following the resignation of Keith Rowley, who stepped down after nearly a decade in power.
According to an official statement released on Tuesday, Prime Minister Young advised President Christine Kangaloo to dissolve Parliament with effect from midnight on 18 March 2025, in accordance with Section 68 of the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Prime Minister also recommended that Writs of Election for the 2025 General Election be issued on 18 March 2025. Nomination Day has been set for Friday, 4 April 2025, while the country will head to the polls on Monday, 28 April 2025, as per Section 33 of the Representation of the People Act, Chap. 2:01.
Young’s unexpected ascension to office and immediate call for elections have sparked widespread political debate. Analysts suggest that the move aims to secure a fresh mandate from the electorate, allowing him to govern with greater authority rather than merely serving the remainder of Rowley’s term.
The upcoming election will be closely watched domestically and internationally as Trinidad and Tobago faces pressing economic challenges, including fluctuations in global energy markets, inflation concerns, and ongoing public sector reforms.
The resignation of Keith Rowley marks the end of an era for the People’s National Movement (PNM), which has been in power since 2015. Rowley, who led the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw key developments in the end Rowley also dismissed criticisms from Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar over Stuart Young’s appointment as Prime Minister following his resignation.
“The law is clear as to how the President should proceed to fill the vacancy. It is the person in Parliament from the party that has the majority and that the majority supports as an individual,” he explained.
He said if the opposition objected, the proper course of action was not legal action but a vote of no confidence in the Parliamentary sector, Rowley cited personal reasons for his departure.
