Institutions of state under attack in Grenada, says Nazim Burke

Nazim Burke, leader of the National Democratic Congress, has told WIC News that there are “serious concerns about the attacks on the institutions of the state” in Grenada.

And he accused the government of showing “complete disregard to the constitution and basic laws”.

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This is part one of a two-part interview. Click here to read the first with Nazim Burke.

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The ruling New National Party won all 15 seats in Parliament at the last election, meaning there is no official opposition. However, the de facto opposition is represented in the Senate.

Burke said: “The country is run largely by a syndicate. Serious attacks and failings now. For example, the Governor-General has appointed an engineer as the attorney general on two occasions. But the constitution says the attorney general must be an attorney.”

Burke was referring to Gregory Bowen.

But the most serious investigations are levelled at an “extreme conflict” of interest in government.

“The constitution says that the person who is the head of the Financial Intelligence Unit must not be politically exposed.

The director of the FIU is married to the minister responsible for citizenship by investment. The law forbids it, and of course international practice forbids it. Everybody says ‘no, you can’t do this’.”

Burke also criticised the establishment of eponymous foundation name by Prime Minister Keith Mitchell during his time in office, which the NDC leader said has the potential to be used for legitimate means.

“The numerous issues are so important because they go straight to the core of democracy, and they shake public confidence. He [Mitchell] is essentially running the country on a climate of fear.”

Election wipe-out

The last election was a storming win for Keith Mitchell’s New National Party, picking up all 15 seats in parliament.

But Burke now insists his party is ready for the election battle, speaking openly about the issues that derailed the last NDC government.

“[The public] were deeply disappointed when our party started fighting among itself, and five members of the cabinet basically decided they no longer wanted to support the leader of the party [Tillman Thomas].

“They were ultimately expelled from the party and are now members of the New National Party.

“We won the election in 2008 as a unit but then the party imploded in 2012. And this was when the country – and the whole world – were going through deep economic crisis. The last thing people expected was that you spend your time fighting against yourselves.

“That was a big thing. That is what led to the massive swing against us – it was a protest vote. It was not a vote for the NNP as such, it was a vote against our party.

“But we have been through the process of rebuilding and reorganising, engaging the people and reigning their confidence.”

Looking ahead

The NDC have chosen all 15 candidates for the next general election, which must be called by the end of next year.

And despite what seems on paper to be a near-impossible task, Burke is quick to point out that despite not winning any seats, his party picked up a strong share of the overall vote.

“More than 41% of people who voted, voted for our party in 10 of the 15 seats. So even though we lost all of the seats, in 10 seats we got more than 41%.

“The numbers [of seats] do not necessarily tell the whole story.”