Dates of last and next legislative elections:  2000/2005

Head of state: President Nicholas Liverpool

AT THE LAST ELECTION

Politicians tend to come from the professional classes – usually young lawyers and doctors. The center-left DUWP narrowly won the 1995 elections, ending 15 years of rule by the right-wing DFP. A further swing to the left produced a DLP victory in 2000. The contraction of the economy, due to difficulties in the banana trade and a global slowdown in tourism, is the main issue. An austerity budget imposed in 2002 led to widespread political protest. Prime Minister Pierre Charles died in January 2004 and was replaced by Roosevelt Skerrit, the country's youngest premier.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004