General elections were held in
Grenada on 8 July 2008. Out of a total of fifteen seats, the opposition
National Democratic Congress (NDC) won eleven seats and the governing
New National Party (NNP) won four, bringing the NDC to power for the first time since 1995.
The NNP was looking for a fourth consecutive term in power, which would have been a first in Grenadian history.
Campaign
In its election manifesto, which it debuted on June 25, 2008, the NNP promised the creation of 4,000 jobs, along with 4% growth in the economy.
["Ruling Party Leads All in Grenada"]
, Angus Reid Global Monitor, June 29, 2008.
Opinion polls
A poll conducted by the Caribbean Development Research Services from June 6 to June 9 showed the NNP with 36.4% support, the NDC with 32.3% support, the
Grenada United Labour Party
The Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) is a political party in Grenada.
History
The party was founded by Eric Gairy in 1950. It contested the first elections held under universal suffrage in 1951, and won six of the eight seats. Nohlen, D (2005) ...
(GULP) with 1.1% support, and the
People's Labour Movement
The People's Labour Movement (abbreviated PLM; initially as Democratic Labour Party (DLP)) was a political party in Grenada founded by Francis Alexis. It was one of the oldest political parties of Grenada. It became defunct after the 2008 electi ...
(PLM) with 0.8% support.
[ The two later formed an electoral alliance, the Labour Platform.
]
Results
In one notable outcome of the election, Deputy Prime Minister Gregory Bowen
Gregory Bowen (''né'' Gregory Emmanuel Cole Bowen, May 3, 1943) is a Welsh trumpet player. His primary work was done in London before relocating to Berlin, Germany in 1976. Since 1961, Bowen has performed and recorded with jazz, pop artists an ...
of the NNP was defeated in his constituency of St. George South East by Pastor Karl Hood
Ignatius Joachim Karl Hood, known as Karl Hood, is a politician from the island nation of Grenada. He served as an MP, Minister of Labour, Social Security and Ecclesiastical Affairs (2008-2010) and as Minister of Foreign Affairs (2010-2012) in a ...
of the NDC.[ Mitchell was re-elected from the constituency of St. George North West. Complete results are as follows:
]
Elected members
Reactions
The Organization of American States (OAS) observed the elections, and it described "the electoral process in Grenada during the General Elections as extremely positive, with relatively few areas that could be improved." All of the polling sites were observed, and voters were calm and well-behaved.
A political party in nearby Dominica, the People's Democratic Movement
The People's Democratic Movement is a political party in Papua New Guinea.
It was founded by Paias Wingti in 1985, after his faction left the Pangu Party. Wingti served as prime minister from 1985 to 1988 and from 1992 to 1994. He was later rep ...
, attributed the victory to Mitchell's "arrogance, intolerance to criticism and lack of consultation with the people" during his time in office.
Aftermath
NDC leader succeeded the NNP's Keith Mitchell
Keith Claudius Mitchell (born 12 November 1946) is a Grenadian politician who served as Prime Minister of Grenada from 1995 to 2008 and from 2013 to 2022. He is the longest-serving Prime Minister in Grenadian history, holding the office for more ...
as Prime Minister of Grenada
This is a list of heads of government of Grenada, from the establishment of the office of Chief Minister in 1960 to the present day.
The Prime Minister appoints the Cabinet of Grenada.
Heads of government before the 1974 independence
Chief m ...
on July 9.[George Worme]
"Thomas wins by a landslide in Grenada"
, ''The Nation'' (Barbados), July 10, 2008. He was sworn in at the Grenada Trade Centre in Grand Anse, St. George's by Governor-General Daniel Williams.[ On this occasion, Thomas promised "openness and transparency" and said that he would practice "the politics of inclusion".][ For his part, Mitchell said that the people voted for change and congratulated Thomas.][ Thomas's cabinet, composed of 17 members, was sworn in at the National Stadium on July 13. In addition to being Prime Minister, Thomas took the portfolios of Legal Affairs, National Security, Information, and Public Administration. Two members of non-governmental organizations who were not affiliated with the NDC were included in the cabinet: Franca Bernadine as Minister of Education and Human Resources, and ]Jimmy Bristol
Jimmy may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Film and television
* ''Jimmy'' (2008 film), a 2008 Hindi thriller directed by Raj N. Sippy
* ''Jimmy'' (1979 film), a 1979 Indian Malayalam film directed by Melattoor Ravi Varma
* ''Jimmy'' (2013 f ...
as Attorney-General.[Linda Straker]
"Seventeen Member Cabinet Appointed in Grenada"
, CaribWorldNews, July 14, 2008.
References
{{Grenadian elections
Elections in Grenada
Grenada
2008 in Grenada
July 2008 events in North America