St Lucia in midst of ‘constitutional crisis’, says opposition

The leader of the opposition St Lucia Labour Party has said the country is in a “constitutional crisis” as it currently has no Governor-General.

Philip J Pierre blames the situation squarely on “the government’s incompetence and the government’s desire to prove that they are in charge and they can do whatever they want.”

Speaking to the St Lucia Times, Pierre said certain functions cannot be performed without a Governor-General – or acting Governor-General.

One issue is that Prime Minister Allen Chastanet cannot travel, said the Castries East MP.

This is because there is no one in position to appoint an acting prime minister.

These actions cannot be performed by the Deputy Governor-General.

“That is what happens when governments act in haste,’ he told the news site.

Louisy, who was the first woman to serve as St Lucia’s Governor-General, did not give a reason for her resignation.

Sources have said that she was forced out of office after clashing with the prime minister, who appeared to question how long she had been in the position.

Pierre told the St Lucia Times that he had written to Chastanet, who has not acknowledged his letter.