Following the April 30 general election that formed Antigua and Barbuda’s new government, government spokesperson and Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant has officially locked in the full schedule for the launch of the new parliamentary session, announcing the timeline during a pivotal swearing-in event at Government House.
The ceremony where Merchant made the announcement marked the formal induction of two new senate members, Joel Anderson-Rayne and Tiffany Strann-Peters. With Strann-Peters’ swearing-in completed, Merchant confirmed that the government has now filled its full allocation of 11 senate seats in the country’s Upper House, bringing the upper legislative chamber to its full planned composition ahead of the new session.
Per the released timeline, the first major step in convening the new parliament will take place on May 18, when the Lower House gathers for its inaugural sitting. The core business of this opening session will be the internal election of a Speaker and Deputy Speaker, two leadership roles that will steer procedural operations for the lower legislative body over the coming term.
Two days after the Lower House convenes, the Senate will hold its first official sitting on May 20. During this session, all appointed senators will take their formal oaths of office before moving forward with the required organizing business for the Upper Chamber.
The highlight of the opening process, the ceremonial opening of parliament and delivery of the Throne Speech, is scheduled for May 26. On this date, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams will deliver the address on behalf of the administration, laying out the government’s full policy and legislative roadmap for the 2026-2027 parliamentary year, outlining the priorities the administration plans to advance through the legislative branch over the coming term.