Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis won a second term in a snap general election on Tuesday, with his Progressive Liberal Party projected to capture more than 30 of the 41 seats in Parliament, according to local media. The victory solidifies the PLP’s hold on power in the Caribbean nation and makes Davis the first prime minister since 1997 to lead his party to consecutive general-election wins.
Addressing a victory rally in Nassau late Tuesday, Davis said the outcome was a win for the entire country, not just his party. Flanked by his wife, Ann Marie, and senior party officials, he reached out to those who voted against him.
“To Bahamians who voted today, but did not vote for us, I want you to know I’ve listened to you, I’ve heard you and I want you to know that I will continue to work hard for all Bahamians,” Davis said.
Earlier, Davis received a concession phone call from Michael Pintard, leader of the main opposition Free National Movement. Speaking at FNM headquarters, Pintard made clear his party accepted the result.
“The Bahamian people made their choice, in a democracy that is the only voice that ultimately matters,” Pintard said.
The PLP’s projected majority expands on its 2021 result, when it won 32 of the then-39 seats. Two new constituencies — St. James, and Bimini and the Berry Islands — increased the total to 41 for this election, the first time lawmakers have been elected from those districts.
The campaign was fought largely on the state of the public healthcare system, crime, the cost of living and immigration concerns.
International observers were on hand to oversee the process. The Commonwealth, the Organization of American States, the U.S. government and regional bloc CARICOM all confirmed they had sent monitors.
Regional leaders were quick to congratulate Davis. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, both re-elected within the past year, sent their messages, as did U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.