Antigua & Barbuda planning vote to become republic within 3 years, media report

Reuters | Antigua & Barbuda plans to hold a referendum on becoming a republic within the next 3 years, the Caribbean nation’s prime minister told British media Saturday, a move that could see King Charles III removed as its head of state.

“This is a matter that has to be taken to a referendum…within the next, probably, 3 years,” Prime Minister Gaston Browne told ITV News shortly after a local ceremony confirmed Charles III as the country’s King following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

Antigua & Barbuda, which became independent from Britain in 1981, is one of 14 Commonwealth members who share the UK monarch as their head of state.

Brown said becoming a republic was “a final step to complete the circle of independence to ensure we are truly a sovereign nation,” but stressed a referendum was “not an act of hostility” and would not involve retiring Commonwealth membership.

Antigua & Barbuda’s prime minister did not immediately reply to a request for comment, and Reuters was not able to independently verify the proposal.

Browne’s pledge comes amid a growing republican push across the Caribbean region, with Barbados voting to remove the UK monarchy last year, and the ruling party in Jamaica having signaled it may follow. Nonetheless, Browne – who is up for re-election next year – said he was not responding to a widespread push from Antiguans to hold a vote.