Jamaica's opposition wins general election as voters tire of austerity
Source: Reuters
World | Fri Feb 26, 2016 12:59am EST
Jamaica's opposition wins general election as voters tire of austerity
KINGSTON | BY REBEKAH KEBEDE
Jamaica's opposition narrowly won a general election on Thursday, with its message of deep tax cuts and massive job creation winning over voters weary of years of tough IMF-mandated austerity measures.
The Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) led by Andrew Holness had won 33 of the 63 seats with almost all votes counted, according to the electoral council website. Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller's party took 30 seats.
The sound of airhorns filled the JLP's headquarters in Kingston as a jubilant crowd of supporters in the party's signature green waved flags and partied to dancehall music, including a song called "Bye bye Portia, bye bye".
"We will grow the Jamaican economy. We will create jobs. We will give you an accountable and responsive government," said Holness, 43, adding that his government would address a laundry list of issues from water to housing and healthcare.
[font size=1]
-snip-[/font]
Read more:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-jamaica-election-idUSKCN0VZ09C