From Caribbean News Service

NASSAU, Bahamas, May 12 2017 – Dr Hubert Minnis was on Thursday sworn in as the fourth Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas since the country gained political independence from Britain in 1973.

Minnis, a medical doctor and former minister of health was sworn into office at Government House by Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

In his first speech as Prime Minister, he paid tribute to the electoral system saying “our democracy is the envy of many countries around the world”.

The Prime Minister noted that the general election was peaceful and free from violence and “now we are witnessing another orderly transfer of power”.

He also thanked his colleagues for reposing their confidence in him as Prime Minister. In turn, he said, he pledged an unwavering commitment to collaboration and collective responsibility.

On Wednesday, Minnis led his Free National Movement (FNM) party in a landslide victory.

The FNM was able to pull off a stunning defeat securing 34 of 39 constituencies.

For more on this story go to: http://caribbeannewsservice.com/now/dr-hubert-minnis-sworn-in-as-prime-minister/

Related:

Opposition Free National Movement Wins Bahamas 2017 General Elections

From Caribbean News Service

NASSAU, Bahamas, May 10 2017, (Caribbean News Service) — Dr. Hubert Minnis led the main opposition party to victory on Wednesday, ousting the ruling party in General Elections.

Prime Minister Perry Christie, who was seeking a second consecutive term, conceded defeat after exit polls projected a major win for the opposition Free National Movement (FNM).

Just before 9 p.m. (local time), Christie issued the following statement to the media:

“I called Dr. Hubert Minnis earlier this evening to congratulate him on his party’s victory. 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 full transition.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as the Prime Minister of this great nation. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Bahamian people for that opportunity.

“To those who served alongside me, I thanked them for their dedication to our shared ideals.

“May God bless us all and may God bless The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

The margin of victory for the FNM in the parliamentary elections was not immediately clear but the party won all five constituencies on Grand Bahama. Official results are expected Thursday.

The mood tonight in the PLP camp was the complete opposite to that in the FNM camp, where thousands of jubilant supporters, decked out in the party’s colour of red, gathered for Minnis’ address to a victory rally.

The PLP and the FNM have dominated political life in the Bahamas since it won independence from Britain in 1973.

For more on this story go to: http://caribbeannewsservice.com/now/opposition-free-national-movement-wins-bahamas-2017-general-elections/