General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 18 January 2023 to elect members of the House of Representatives.
The Labour Party (ABLP) has held an absolute majority of 15 seats in the House of Representatives after the 2018 general election, with Gaston Browne remaining as prime minister. Browne initiated a constitutional referendum after the 2018 election, which was rejected by voters, and following the death of Elizabeth II in 2022, he announced his intention to organize a referendum for the transition of Antigua and Barbuda to a republican system. Besides ABLP, the United Progressive Party (UPP), Democratic National Alliance, Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM), and three independent politicians filed candidacies for the 2023 general election.
During the election campaign, UPP proposed to raise the minimum wage and expressed support for small businesses, while ABLP pledged to construct more homes and open two polyclinics. ABLP retained its majority in the House of Representatives although it won a reduced 9 seats, while UPP won 6 seats. Trevor Walker, the leader of the BPM, retained his seat in Barbuda, while Asot Michael, an independent politician and former member of ABLP, won his seat in the St. Peter constituency.
Background
The previous general election was held 15 months early before the scheduled date due to the outgoing prime minister Gaston Browne wanting to obtain enough support for the implementation of several projects, such as land reform, in 2019. Browne retained his office, while his Labour Party (ABLP) increased its absolute majority in the House of Representatives. The United Progressive Party (UPP) suffered defeat, with its leader, Harold Lovell, losing his seat.
Since then, Browne attempted to modify the constitution to make the Caribbean Court of Justice the final court of appeal in the country in place of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. This was however rejected in a referendum in November 2018. Following the death of Elizabeth II in September 2022, Browne announced his intention to organize a referendum within three years regarding the transition to a republican system.
Sources and further reading:
Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party secures victory in 2023 general elections
Antigua and Barbuda plans referendum to become republic
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/11/antigua-and-barbuda-plan-vote-to-become-republic