In a shock political improvement, Senator Delbert Paris has stepped down as deputy political chief of the United Employees Occasion (UWP), Dominica’s fundamental opposition celebration. UWP political chief Dr. Thomson Fontaine confirmed Paris’ resignation to Dominica Information On-line (DNO) on Monday. No formal cause was disclosed.
Paris’ sudden exit comes amid rising tensions inside the celebration, particularly following his controversial vote in help of the Electoral Fee Act throughout a parliamentary session on March 19, 2025. The UWP, which is a part of the broader Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC), had been actively protesting the laws, arguing it lacked enough public session and transparency. Paris’ choice to aspect with the federal government on the invoice drew sharp criticism from inside his personal ranks.
A civil engineer by career, Paris was nominated to the Senate by impartial MP Anthony Charles, who received the Marigot seat within the 2022 common election. He joined the UWP management in December 2024 after dropping a bid for the celebration’s high place to Dr. Fontaine. Regardless of that loss, he was elected deputy chief, defeating incumbent Ronald Charles.
His resignation—efficient instantly—comes simply 4 months into his tenure and has ignited debate each inside the celebration and amongst political observers. Some see it as a mirrored image of deeper divisions inside the UWP, which has been attempting to regroup and current a united entrance forward of future elections.
With Paris’ departure, the celebration is now left to handle inside fallout and contemplate a brand new deputy chief, even because it maintains its position as the first political counterweight to the ruling Dominica Labour Occasion (DLP).
