Dominica Freedom Party
Encyclopedia
The Dominica Freedom Party is a conservative
political party
in Dominica
.
The party lost all of its seats in the House of Assembly
at 2005 general election
, held on 5 May 2005. This was the first time since 1975 that the DFP was not elected in any seats. The party garnered 3.15% of votes cast.
During the previous elections
held on 31 January 2000, the party won 2 of the 21 popularly elected seats with 13.6% of votes cast. The party subsequently joined a coalition government with the Dominica Labour Party
with the DLP not having enough seats to form a government on their own.
The DFP was led by Dame Eugenia Charles
from 1972 until 1995. She became Prime Minister in 1980 and served until her 1995 retirement. Following her resignation as party leader and the defeat of the DFP in the 1995 elections by the United Workers' Party, she was succeeded by Brian Alleyne.
In 1996, Charles Savarin
became the leader of the DFP. He had presided over the continuing decline of the DFP following the 2000 general election. Despite this the party still holds a degree of influence due to its accommodation with the DLP government. Even after losing all its seats and the DLP winning enough seats to form a government on their own, the DLP leader and prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit
appointed Savarin as a senator and gave him the key post of foreign minister
.
Many members of the DFP have criticized Savarin for his continued support for their erstwhile foes, the DLP.
However on August 5, 2007 a new executive was elected, with businessman Michael Astaphan
being elected as Political Leader.
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Dominica
Dominica
Dominica , officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, south-southeast of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique. Its size is and the highest point in the country is Morne Diablotins, which has an elevation of . The Commonwealth...
.
The party lost all of its seats in the House of Assembly
House of Assembly of Dominica
The House of Assembly is the legislature of Dominica. It is established by Chapter III of the Constitution of Dominica, and together with the President of Dominica constitutes Dominica's Parliament. The House is unicameral, and consists of twenty-one Representatives, nine Senators, and an...
at 2005 general election
Dominican general election, 2005
The 2005 Dominican General election was held in Dominica on 5 May 2005. After a hard campaign the Dominica Labour Party was re-elected winning a majority of seats...
, held on 5 May 2005. This was the first time since 1975 that the DFP was not elected in any seats. The party garnered 3.15% of votes cast.
During the previous elections
Dominican general election, 2000
General elections were held in Dominica on 31 January 2000 and saw the Dominica Labour Party led by Rosie Douglas take power defeating the previous government of the United Workers' Party led by Edison James, despite the UWP receiving more votes. The DLP won 10 seats, the UWP 9 seats and the...
held on 31 January 2000, the party won 2 of the 21 popularly elected seats with 13.6% of votes cast. The party subsequently joined a coalition government with the Dominica Labour Party
Dominica Labour Party
The Dominica Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Dominica.-History:Founded in 1955 by Phyllis Shand Allfrey and Emmanuel Christopher Loblack, it is the oldest political party in Dominica. It first contested general elections in 1961, winning seven of the eleven seats. In the next...
with the DLP not having enough seats to form a government on their own.
The DFP was led by Dame Eugenia Charles
Eugenia Charles
Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, DBE was Prime Minister of Dominica from 21 July 1980 until 14 June 1995. She was Dominica's first, and to date only, female prime minister, as well as the nation's longest serving prime minister...
from 1972 until 1995. She became Prime Minister in 1980 and served until her 1995 retirement. Following her resignation as party leader and the defeat of the DFP in the 1995 elections by the United Workers' Party, she was succeeded by Brian Alleyne.
In 1996, Charles Savarin
Charles Savarin
Charles Angelo Savarin is a politician from Dominica. He is a member of the Dominica Labour Party and a non-elected government member of the Dominican Parliament...
became the leader of the DFP. He had presided over the continuing decline of the DFP following the 2000 general election. Despite this the party still holds a degree of influence due to its accommodation with the DLP government. Even after losing all its seats and the DLP winning enough seats to form a government on their own, the DLP leader and prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit
Roosevelt Skerrit
Roosevelt Skerrit is a Dominican politician who has been Prime Minister of Dominica since 2004; he has also been the Member of Parliament for the Vieille Case constituency since 2000...
appointed Savarin as a senator and gave him the key post of foreign minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
.
Many members of the DFP have criticized Savarin for his continued support for their erstwhile foes, the DLP.
However on August 5, 2007 a new executive was elected, with businessman Michael Astaphan
Michael Astaphan
Michael Anthony Astaphan is the Political Leader of the Dominica Freedom Party since August 5, 2007. He holds an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick, a Master Degree in Management Engineering from the University of Connecticut in Bridgeport...
being elected as Political Leader.