In a notable display of cross-aisle civility in Dominica’s parliament, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has publicly extended heartfelt gratitude to Leader of the Opposition Jesma Paul-Victor for her measured response to the 2026/2027 national budget address delivered this Thursday.
Skerrit took to social media following the parliamentary sitting to share his positive assessment of Paul-Victor’s engagement, framing her contribution as balanced, thoughtful, and marked by a level of political maturity uncommon in deeply partisan political landscapes. He has long argued that collaborative governance, rooted in mutual respect between ruling and opposition parties, is the only sustainable path to lifting Dominica and improving outcomes for all its citizens. In his view, moving beyond unproductive, blind partisanship is a critical precondition for meaningful national progress.
The prime minister stressed that even with fundamental policy and ideological differences between the ruling administration and the opposition, Paul-Victor’s approach to the budget debate proved that Dominican politics can rise above petty squabbling. He noted that parliamentary discourse can remain civil, focused on advancing the public good rather than scoring political points, a standard he says the Dominican public rightfully demands from all elected representatives.
Skerrit drew a clear line between partisan interests and national priorities, emphasizing that large-scale transformative projects currently underway across the island are not the property of any single political faction. Key initiatives including the construction of the new international airport, the development of domestic geothermal energy capacity, and the rollout of climate-resilient public infrastructure exist to serve all Dominican people, regardless of political affiliation.
Closing his remarks, the prime minister reaffirmed his administration’s long-standing commitment to open, inclusive governance. He confirmed the government will maintain an open-door policy for constructive dialogue with the opposition, and remains dedicated to working across party lines to build a more prosperous future for every Dominican family.