Following the decisive general election win of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) on April 30, the new administration has outlined its intended leadership lineup for the country’s Upper House of Parliament, revealed during a formal swearing-in ceremony for government-aligned senators hosted at Government House this Friday. During the official proceedings, the ceremony’s master of ceremonies publicly announced the planned nominations: sitting Senator Alincia Williams-Grant has been tapped to be put forward for the role of Senate President when the chamber holds its first formal session on May 20. Joining her in the top Senate leadership will be Philip Shoul, who has been selected for nomination as Deputy President of the Senate. Ten government-backed senators completed their formal swearing-in process at the event, marking the first step in establishing the new legislative body after the general election. Beyond the top two leadership roles, officials also confirmed that Senator Shenella Govia will take on the critical position of Leader of Government Business in the Senate, tasked with coordinating the administration’s legislative agenda in the Upper House. In addition to her Senate responsibilities, Govia was also sworn in during the ceremony as Minister of State within the Ministry of Housing and Works, giving her a dual role in the legislative and executive branches of government. The full ceremony followed longstanding constitutional protocol: each participating senator first took the three required oaths — the oath of allegiance to the crown, the oath of office, and the oath of secrecy — before Governor General Rodney Williams formally presented each official with their official instruments of appointment, formalizing their new roles. Event organizers also reminded attendees and the public of the full timeline for establishing the new parliament: the Lower House of Parliament is scheduled to convene first on May 18, where its members will hold a formal vote to elect a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker to lead the chamber’s proceedings. Two days later, on May 20, the Senate will gather for its inaugural session to hold the official vote to confirm the nominated President and Deputy President, formally completing the formation of the new national legislature after the ABLP’s election victory.
Williams-Grant to Be Elected Senate President, Shoul Deputy and Govia Majority Leader
