Caribbean News
Newcomer Dikon Mitchell beats 22 Year Prime Minister in Grenada Elections
By Shanieka Smith
Features Writer
#Grenada, June 27, 2022 – Grenada’s government is now headed by a 44-year-old lawyer with no previous political career. The new Prime Minister and leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, Dickon Mitchell has won 9 of the 15 seats in the House of Representatives in the general elections held on June 23.
It was a major upset for the team led by the “Six Star General” who in the last general election swept the
Dickon Mitchell was handed over the NDC leadership in October 2021 has already been sworn in as the new leader of Grenada, handily winning over Dr Keith Mitchell (no relation) of the New National Party, (NNP).
Mitchell has been head of government from 1995 to 2008 and from 2013 to 2022; some 22 years at the helm, nearly 30 years uninterrupted.
The outgoing Mitchell congratulated the new Prime Minister and promised to play a constructive role as opposition leader. He managed to hold onto St George North West, securing 66 percent of the popular vote.
Dickon Mitchell had another outstanding feat on election day, June 24; in the constituency of St. David he won his seat with 4,414 votes, which was just over 61 percent of the ballots.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude and we are humbled before the Lord our God and you, the people of Grenada,
While congratulating the newly elected Prime Minister, former NDC Secretary-General Glen Noel said “it is a resounding victory based on the citizens’ desire for change and economic and social transformation. They are tired of the same old same old and embrace change, the youthful energy and vision of the new leader Dickon Mitchell, who connected emotionally and his message resonated with the people.”
NDC thanked the citizens for their support via a Facebook post saying, “this victory is not ours, but yours…Together, we are moving Grenada FORWARD!”
Some 86,658 voters made it to the polls; a 70 percent voter turnout for Grenada.