CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Opposition Chief Allen Chastanet says St Lucia is heading within the “flawed path” greater than two years after his administration misplaced the final election.
“Over the past two and a half years, we …now have an oppressive and autocratic authorities that has betrayed the belief of the folks and is bent on dictatorship and victimization,” Chastanet stated in a nationwide radio and tv broadcast on Sunday night time.
“We now have witnessed the entire mismanagement of the financial system, nepotism, deceit, hypocrisy, dishonesty, blatant corruption at an unprecedented stage, and the flagrant abuse of our civil rights, all within the title of defending the victory,” he added.
Chastanet stated that whereas it’s evident that the nation goes by way of “one of many hardest financial instances in its historical past,” the present disaster has been self-inflicted by a authorities with no plan and no imaginative and prescient for the nation.
“They’ve been clueless about how to reply to the impression of inflation and the worldwide conflicts which have created a risk to our financial system.
”As an alternative of defending susceptible households and the “poorest of the poor”, the Authorities’s incompetence has worsened the scenario by intentionally permitting the worth of gas, cooking gasoline, bus fares, and bread to extend, in some circumstances completely.” stated Chastanet.
Chastanet, who served as prime minister from 2016-21, stated it’s “heartbreaking” that extra St. Lucians than ever are at the moment unable to afford even essentially the most requirements, comparable to meals, treatment, and utilities.
“Working-class households and civil servants alike are struggling to supply for his or her family members and to place an honest meal on the desk. With a authorities that solely gives excuses and no options, this wrestle has no finish.”
He stated a authorities that feels entitled and lacks concepts to stimulate an financial system will all the time resort to growing taxes.
He stated the ruling St. Lucia Labour Social gathering (SLP) had imposed a further tax of two.5 % on an already struggling inhabitants whereas persevering with to disregard the recommendation of civil society teams which have warned in opposition to the destructive impression of “ this burdensome tax.
“The results of this motion are that the poor proceed to get poorer, additional increasing the poverty margin, whereas a particular few inside the internal circle of the St. Lucia Labor Social gathering proceed to counterpoint themselves.”
Chastanet stated the elevated crime throughout the nation final 12 months is unprecedented, inflicting widespread worry and panic. He advised the Authorities pathetically tried to justify a second 12 months of 75 murders by claiming the speed of murders declined within the second half of the 12 months attributable to its initiatives.
“We are able to all see the fallacy of his argument, as we have now began the primary month of this 12 months with eight murders – a mean of two per week. If this sample continues, we will solely think about what the demise toll of our younger males can be by the tip of the 12 months.
“As an alternative of placing hard-hitting measures in place, Prime Minister Philip Pierre continues to present foolish excuses comparable to I don’t know, I’m not a policeman, and hopes that issues will get higher.”
Chastanet stated that the principle opposition, the United Staff Social gathering (UWP), “strongly reiterates its unwavering dedication to working with the Authorities to fight crime.
“We perceive the devastating impression of crime on folks, communities, and the financial system. Due to this fact, we urge all St. Lucians to unite and stand collectively as one folks within the battle in opposition to crime and violence in our nation,” he stated.
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