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Godwin Friday Wins Landslide, Ending Ralph Gonsalves' 24-Year Rule in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Godwin Friday appears to have unseated long-serving Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, ending a 24-year administration in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Preliminary counts give Friday’s New Democratic Party 14 of 15 seats. The change comes as the country faces an 18% unemployment rate, 26% poverty and ongoing recovery from the 2021 La Soufrière eruption. Friday campaigned on jobs, higher wages, security and infrastructure, and his party favors closer ties with China and a citizenship-by-investment program.

10:19 PM, 11/28/2025Politics
Godwin Friday Wins Landslide, Ending Ralph Gonsalves' 24-Year Rule in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Preliminary election results indicate that Godwin Friday, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), has defeated long-time incumbent Ralph Gonsalves of the Unity Labour Party (ULP), potentially bringing an end to Gonsalves' 24-year tenure as prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Election outcome and immediate reaction
Early counts show the NDP capturing 14 of the 15 constituencies across the eastern Caribbean archipelago. The ULP posted a brief message on social media: "We love you, SVG, and we will keep working and advocating for you. This is not the end, it is the beginning." The results remain preliminary until official tallies are finalized.

What it means for the country
Friday campaigned on a platform of job creation, higher wages, improved public safety and targeted infrastructure investment. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a nation of just over 100,000 people, faces economic pressures including an 18% unemployment rate and a 26% poverty rate, and continues recovering from the April 2021 eruption of La Soufrière volcano.

Policy contrasts and foreign relations
The parties have signaled different foreign-policy and economic priorities. Friday’s NDP has advocated for a citizenship-by-investment program and closer ties with China. By contrast, under Gonsalves the ULP maintained longstanding relations with Taiwan and established ties in the region influenced by his vocal support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.

Recent initiatives under Gonsalves
Late in his administration, the government signed a free-movement agreement designed to make it easier for Vincentians to travel to certain Caribbean countries without visas or work permits. Gonsalves also helped host an emergency meeting in December 2023 between the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana to address a tense border dispute.

Regional reaction and context
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness praised Gonsalves on social media for being a "strong voice within CARICOM," noting his advocacy for deeper regional cooperation and a more integrated Caribbean community. Friday previously challenged Gonsalves in the 2020 election but was unsuccessful then; this result would mark a significant shift in the country's political direction if confirmed.

Note: Results are preliminary and subject to official confirmation by St. Vincent and the Grenadines' electoral authorities.

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