By: Keryn Nelson and Josiah St. Luce
As Saint Lucia prepares for another election season, the contest is once again shaping up as a battle between two familiar faces: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, leader of the ruling Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), and Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet of the United Workers Party (UWP). Both men bring sharply contrasting leadership styles, political records, and personal journeys to the race, setting the stage for a defining choice in the nation’s future.
Incumbent Prime Minister seeking re-election: Philip J. Pierre
Philip Joseph Pierre’s journey to the highest office in Saint Lucia traces a path shaped by his early years growing up in Castries to decades of service in business and politics. Born on September 18, 1954, he was the only son of Evelyn Pierre, a teacher, and her husband Auguste, a policeman.
Pierre’s early education was shaped by the Roman Catholic Boys’ Infant and Primary School, followed by St Mary’s College, the island’s all-boys secondary school. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree with honours in economics at the University of the West Indies, later completing a Master of Business Administration at the same institution.
Returning to Saint Lucia, Pierre began his career in education as a teacher at St Mary’s College before moving into the private sector. He worked as a trainee manager at J.Q. Charles Ltd., an audit clerk at PricewaterhouseCoopers and PKF International, and financial controller at Stanthur Co. Ltd.
In 1985, he was appointed director of the National Research and Development Corporation, a post he held until 1994. In 1990, he founded Philip J Pierre Business Services Ltd., a consultancy offering financial and advisory services to small and emerging businesses across the region. He managed the firm until 1997.
Pierre’s political career began in earnest in 1985, when he joined the SLP. He served as the party’s treasurer from 1986 to 1992, before contesting the Castries East constituency for the first time — an unsuccessful attempt that would mark the start of his long association with the district. He went on to chair the SLP between 1992 and 1996, and in 1997 secured his first electoral victory in Castries East. That same year, he entered Cabinet as minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and International Financial Services, a portfolio he held until 2000.
Over the next two decades, Pierre became a fixture of Saint Lucian politics. He was re-elected consistently as the parliamentary representative for Castries East, and during the 2011–2016 administration of Prime Minister Kenny Anthony, he served as deputy prime minister and minister for Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport. When the SLP lost power in 2016, Anthony stepped down as leader, and Pierre was elected to succeed him, becoming both party leader and Leader of the Opposition.
The July 26, 2021, general election returned the SLP to office in a landslide victory, and Pierre was sworn in as Prime Minister of Saint Lucia. In addition to leading the government, he also serves as minister for Finance, Economic Development, and the Youth Economy, and minister for Justice and National Security.
Beyond politics, Pierre is married and the father of one daughter.
Former PM and opposition leader Allen Chastanet vies for return
Current Leader of the Opposition in Saint Lucia Allen Michael Chastanet’s career spans a number of fields including business, tourism, and politics.
Born on November 20, 1960, Chastanet pursued his early education at Stanstead College in Quebec, Canada, completing high school in 1979. He later earned a bachelor of arts in economics and political science from Bishop’s University in Canada, followed by a master of science in development banking from American University in Washington, DC.
Though born in Martinique due to “medical complications”, Chastanet in a previous interview with St. Lucia Times explained he has spent most of his life working, developing, and serving Saint Lucia, the country he loves dearly.
“This is where my heart truly belongs. In the famous words of Morningstar – ‘Saint Lucia We Love!’” Chastanet stated.
Before entering frontline politics, Chastanet established himself in business and tourism, serving as the director of Tourism for Saint Lucia from 1992 to 1994, and later as vice president of Sales and Marketing Worldwide at Air Jamaica between 1995 and 2003.
Returning to Saint Lucia, he became the managing director of Coco Resorts, where he oversaw operations at properties including the Coco Palm Hotel in Rodney Bay.
Chastanet entered the political arena in 2006 when he was appointed to the Senate and named minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation. Though unsuccessful in his bid for the Soufrière seat in the 2011 general election, he was elected leader of the UWP in July 2013.
His leadership paid off when the UWP won the 2016 general election. He was then sworn in as Prime Minister on June 6, 2016. During his five-year term, he also held the portfolios of finance, economic growth, job creation, external affairs, and the public service. However, in the July 26, 2021, election, the UWP was defeated by the SLP. Chastanet retained his Micoud South seat and assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition two days later.
Since July 28, 2021, Chastanet has led the parliamentary opposition, representing Micoud South in the House of Assembly. From this position, he has consistently raised issues relating to crime, public safety, the justice system, the cost of living, and governance.
Chastanet is the son of Saint Lucian businessman Michael Chastanet. He is married and has two children.
