Jamaica: Andrew Holness sworn in as new Prime Minister

Jamaica Labor Party leader Andrew Michael Holness became his island-nation’s newest prime minister on Thursday, promising to build partnerships to help Jamaica become the “center of the Caribbean.”

“We cannot be satisfied with things as they are. My dream is to fulfill your dreams,” Holness, 43, said during his inaugural address after he was sworn in the capital Kingston.

The new prime minister called on Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora to join him in taking the country to economic prosperity. “We will ensure that it is easy for the diaspora to participate in the development of their homeland,” he said.

Jamaica’s Governor General Sir Patrick Allen welcomed the new prime minister while thanking outgoing Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller for her years of service to the country.

Earlier this week, the Electoral Office of Jamaica confirmed that the Jamaica Labor Party had dealt a major upset to outgoing prime minster Portia Simpson-Miller’s People’s National Party by winning last Thursday’s general elections. At the end of a final count by the elections office, Jamaica Labor Party candidates had won 32 of the 63 constituencies while the People’s National Party won 31.

The Jamaica Labor Party, however, is still hoping to increase its one-seat margin by picking up an additional seat.

A magisterial recount for the constituency of St. Mary South Eastern was still ongoing late Wednesday. Jamaica Labor Party candidate Norman Dunn had initially been declared the winner of the seat but lost it in the recount by nine votes after 74 votes were rejected. The seat is now held by the People’s National Party’s Winston Green.