Pierre Charles
Encyclopedia
Pierre Charles was Prime Minister
of Dominica
from 2000 to 2004 as well as Member of Parliament
for Grand Bay, Dominica
from 1985 until his death. He was born in Grand Bay
in Saint Patrick
parish. He began his high school education at the Dominica Grammar School
and completed it at the St. Mary's Academy before pursuing studies at the local teachers college. He served as a teacher and community organizer before entering elective office.
He became ill in February 2003, and had angioplasty
surgery. Concerns about his health led to calls for him to step down. However, he continued to serve as prime minister until his death, which occurred during a medical leave of absence. Osborne Riviere
acted as Prime Minister
in Charles' stead. However, upon return from his medical leave of absence, Charles succumbed to a heart attack while being driven home from a Cabinet
meeting.
Political Ascendancy
In 1979, Pierre Charles, at the age of 25, was appointed a Senator in Dominica’s Parliament. In the general elections of 1985, he contested the Grand Bay seat, and won, though his Dominica Labour Party (led by Rosie Douglas’ brother, Michael) lost to the incumbent Dominica Freedom Party under the leadership of the formidable Dame Eugenia Charles, Dominica longest serving head of state. For the next 15 years, Charles remained in that position, as irremovable from Grand Bay as Rosie Douglas was from Portsmouth. For example, in the 1995 election which saw the unseating of Dame Eugenia’s DFP by the United Workers’ Party (UWP) led by Edison James, Charles took over 51% of the 1936 votes cast in his home parish.
When the Dominica Labour Party (in coalition with the DFP) came to power in 2000 under the leadership of Rosie Douglas, Charles was appointed Minister of Public Works and Communications. During the eight months of Douglas’ rule, Charles was often called upon to function as the acting Prime Minister. When Douglas suddenly died in October 2000, it was Charles – a proven patriot with almost thirty years in fighting for and building a better Dominica – who was elevated as Douglas’ successor.
Charles was an Honorary Member of The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation
Prime Minister of Dominica
The Prime Minister of Dominica is the head of government in the Commonwealth of Dominica. Nominally, the position was created on November 3, 1978 when Dominica gained independence from the United Kingdom...
of 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...
from 2000 to 2004 as well as Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Grand Bay, Dominica
Grand Bay, Dominica
Grand Bay , known officially as Berekua, is a village in the south of Dominica. It has a population of 2,288, and is the largest settlement in St. Patrick Parish....
from 1985 until his death. He was born in Grand Bay
Grand Bay, Dominica
Grand Bay , known officially as Berekua, is a village in the south of Dominica. It has a population of 2,288, and is the largest settlement in St. Patrick Parish....
in Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick Parish, Dominica
Saint Patrick is one of Dominica's 10 administrative parishes. It is bordered by St. George, St. Luke and St. Mark to the west, and St. David to the north. It has an area of 84.4 km² , and has a population of 8,383....
parish. He began his high school education at the Dominica Grammar School
Dominica Grammar School
The Dominica Grammar School is a public co-education secondary school in Roseau, Dominica, established in 1893. Contrary to its name the school no longer functions as a 'grammar school' as it has expanded its curriculum beyond its historical scope.-History:...
and completed it at the St. Mary's Academy before pursuing studies at the local teachers college. He served as a teacher and community organizer before entering elective office.
He became ill in February 2003, and had angioplasty
Angioplasty
Angioplasty is the technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel, the latter typically being a result of atherosclerosis. An empty and collapsed balloon on a guide wire, known as a balloon catheter, is passed into the narrowed locations and then inflated to a fixed size...
surgery. Concerns about his health led to calls for him to step down. However, he continued to serve as prime minister until his death, which occurred during a medical leave of absence. Osborne Riviere
Osborne Riviere
Francis Osborne Riviere is a former Foreign Minister of Dominica. He became the foreign minister in 2001, replacing the prime minister, Pierre Charles. He acted as Prime Minister in November 2003, after Pierre Charles was taken ill. Charles died on January 6, 2004...
acted as Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Dominica
The Prime Minister of Dominica is the head of government in the Commonwealth of Dominica. Nominally, the position was created on November 3, 1978 when Dominica gained independence from the United Kingdom...
in Charles' stead. However, upon return from his medical leave of absence, Charles succumbed to a heart attack while being driven home from a Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
meeting.
Political Ascendancy
In 1979, Pierre Charles, at the age of 25, was appointed a Senator in Dominica’s Parliament. In the general elections of 1985, he contested the Grand Bay seat, and won, though his Dominica Labour Party (led by Rosie Douglas’ brother, Michael) lost to the incumbent Dominica Freedom Party under the leadership of the formidable Dame Eugenia Charles, Dominica longest serving head of state. For the next 15 years, Charles remained in that position, as irremovable from Grand Bay as Rosie Douglas was from Portsmouth. For example, in the 1995 election which saw the unseating of Dame Eugenia’s DFP by the United Workers’ Party (UWP) led by Edison James, Charles took over 51% of the 1936 votes cast in his home parish.
When the Dominica Labour Party (in coalition with the DFP) came to power in 2000 under the leadership of Rosie Douglas, Charles was appointed Minister of Public Works and Communications. During the eight months of Douglas’ rule, Charles was often called upon to function as the acting Prime Minister. When Douglas suddenly died in October 2000, it was Charles – a proven patriot with almost thirty years in fighting for and building a better Dominica – who was elevated as Douglas’ successor.
Charles was an Honorary Member of The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation
External links
- Dominica PM dies: Globe and Mail (Canada)