University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository NotiSur Latin America Digital Beat (LADB) 7-27-1989 Grenada: Parliament Prepares To Oust Prime Minister John Neagle Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/notisur Recommended Citation Neagle, John. "Grenada: Parliament Prepares To Oust Prime Minister." (1989). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/notisur/3323 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Latin America Digital Beat (LADB) at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in NotiSur by an authorized administrator of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LADB Article Id: 072440 ISSN: 1060-4189 Grenada: Parliament Prepares To Oust Prime Minister by John Neagle Category/Department: General Published: Thursday, July 27, 1989 On July 26, Grenadian Prime Minister Herbert Blaize received a letter from parliamentary leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Brizan, urging him to call general elections within two weeks or face a vote of no confidence. Within the past few days, two members of the cabinet have announced plans to resign: Health Minister Danny Williams, and Women's Affairs Minister Grace Duncan. Earlier two other cabinet members were dismissed. Former Public Utilities Minister Keith Mitchell has also called for a vote of no confidence. As of this week, Blaize has the support of only one- third of members of parliament (five of 15). NDC party leader Nicholas Brathwaite said the National Party, recently formed by Blaize, does not have the mandate of the people, and thus, elections must be scheduled. He told reporters that a majority of members of parliament would approve a vote of no confidence on Blaize's government. In this event, he added, the "constitution provides that there should be elections within three months." On July 24, Blaize said he would not be forced out of office. Last Thursday, he dismissed Mitchell after months of feuding among the ranks of the ruling New National Party (NNP). At the NNP's convention in January, Mitchell ousted Blaize from the party's top leadership position. Then, on July 21, Blaize announced a break with the NNP, and established the National Party. In the absence of a no confidence vote in the parliament, Blaize's term ends on Dec. 28. Under the constitution, elections must be held by March at the latest. (Basic data from Xinhua, 07/26/89) -- End -- ©2011 The University of New Mexico, Latin American & Iberian Institute. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1.