The September 7 opposition victory.
Despite pre-election opinion polls suggesting a close contest, the opposition People's National Movement (PNM) won a clear victory against the incumbent four-party coalition of the People's Partnership (PP) in the September 7 general election. The PP's position was undermined by internal divisions, allegations of corruption and a weakening economy, while the PNM was able to project unity and reassure voters that its policy programme was credible. It also benefitted from a strong performance in the campaign by its leader, Keith Rowley.
Challenges to election results will generate uncertainty but not a change in the outcome.
Low oil and gas prices will force an uncomfortable economic retrenchment.
Crime, corruption and ethnic divisions are further intractable problems Rowley's government must tackle.
