As Belize City prepares for a shift in municipal leadership ahead of incumbent Mayor Bernard Wagner’s 2027 departure from office, the sitting mayor has publicly thrown his support behind his second-in-command, Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller, to carry forward the ruling People’s United Party (PUP)’s work at City Hall.
Wagner, whose final term concludes in February 2027, confirmed he will serve out the full remainder of his tenure before stepping down. While he emphasized that the ultimate nomination for the mayoral post will be determined by the PUP executive committee, and final approval rests with Belize City voters at the polls, he made his preference clear in an exclusive interview with local outlet News Five.
Wagner highlighted Miller’s decades-long, step-by-step career within the Belize City Council as key proof of his readiness to lead. Starting as an entry-level intern, Miller rose through the organization’s ranks to hold roles in the finance department, then won a seat as a city councilor, before ultimately being elevated to deputy mayor. This steady upward trajectory, Wagner argued, has given Miller an intimate, working understanding of how City Hall operates, letting him hit the ground running if he takes the top post.
“Eluide has earned every promotion he has received, and he is perfectly positioned to deliver consistent, uninterrupted progress for Belize City during this period of transition,” Wagner emphasized.
The outgoing mayor also used the opportunity to tout the PUP administration’s track record over the past nine years in office, pointing to a long list of tangible accomplishments the party hopes to carry forward under new leadership. Among the most notable achievements are the construction and resurfacing of more than 300 city streets using a range of durable paving materials including concrete, chip seal, and hot mix asphalt. Beyond physical infrastructure, Wagner highlighted the administration’s heavy investment in social programs and building long-term operational capacity within the city council itself.
Wagner also noted that the council has maintained a stable, functional working environment throughout his tenure: it has never missed a payroll for city employees, and has consistently fostered positive collaborative relations with municipal labor unions.
Asked whether other potential candidates within the council had the skills to serve as mayor, Wagner acknowledged that multiple local leaders hold the necessary competence to fill the role. But he reiterated that his clear personal endorsement goes to Miller, while stressing that the final decision on the party’s nominee remains in the hands of PUP leadership.
This report is adapted from a transcript of a televised evening news broadcast from Belize.