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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 33 - Wednesday, December 11, 2002
PM CharlesPolitical Drama Unfolds in Dominica
by: Thomson Fontaine

The United Workers Party (UWP) was thwarted in its attempt to bring forward a no confidence motion in the coalition government of Prime Minister Pierre Charles (inset) when Parliament convened in Roseau on Tuesday, December 10.

Parliamentarians voted 17 to 12 to allow the normal business of government to proceed instead of adopting the no confidence motion. Parliament was to debate the Integrity in Public Office bill, a Copyright bill, and a bill to regulate health facilities in Dominica. The vote was widely anticipated after Freedom Party Member of Parliament Frederick Baron crossed the floor to become an independent member of the house. In leaving the coalition government, Baron complained of government's inability to manage Dominica's floundering economy.

Speculation was also rife that Labour Party MP for the Bagatelle constituency Urban Baron would also cross the floor. In a political rally over the weekend, former Prime Minister Edison James who is now Leader of the Opposition called on MP for the Castle Bruce constituency Lorraine Bannis to return to her roots.

Last year, Bannis who was elected on a United Workers Party ticket crossed over to the government coalition reducing the United Workers Party minority in Parliament to 9, and boosting the governments majority to 12 of the 21 seats.

With the defection of MP Baron, the coalition government now holds a slim one-seat majority and conceivably the defection of any other member could spell the demise of the government. Prime Minister Charles has however appeared untroubled by the impending vote and announced plans to leave the country for Taiwan on Friday.

In making the announcement, The Prime Minister said that Dominica would be renewing its cultural and educational agreements with Taipei, as well as seeking assistance in developing the information technology sector. It was not clear if the opposition would succeed in getting the motion tabled before Parliament recesses for the Christmas break.




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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 33
Windies Rout Bangladesh
Political Drama Unfolds in Dominica
Son of Dominica Receives Honorary Degree
A Small Community Plans Big
Dr. Douglas: In New York's Medical Heirachy
Letters to the Editor



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