TRINIDAD & TOBAGO | STUART YOUNG TAKES HELM IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, CALLS FOR "NEW CHAPTER" AMID OPPOSITION BOYCOTT

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, March 17, 2025 - In a ceremony marked by both celebration and controversy, Stuart Young was sworn in as Trinidad and Tobago's eighth Prime Minister on March 17, immediately calling for national unity while Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar's conspicuous absence cast a shadow over the proceedings at President's House.

"It is this very foundation – our national unity – built on respect, inclusion, and shared purpose, along with our fighting spirit – that I believe holds the power to propel our nation forward," Young declared in his maiden address, framing his vision against the backdrop of ongoing religious observances across the diverse Caribbean nation.

The appointment comes as opposition forces threaten legal challenges over the legitimacy of Young's elevation to the country's highest political office. Despite this tumultuous political landscape, Young projected confidence, emphasizing that Trinidad and Tobago's strength lies not in leadership alone but in its citizens' collective potential.

"TT's greatness rests not only in the hands of any one leader or government, but lies in the hands, hearts, and minds of each and every citizen," Young said, setting a collaborative tone for his administration while acknowledging the difficult road ahead. "It will not be an easy journey but it is one that working together we will be able to achieve these goals."

Young's personal narrative featured prominently in his address, as he credited his parents, Richard and Prescilla Young, for instilling values that guided his career in law and public service. His sons, Eric and Ethan, watched from the front row as their father, a single parent, assumed the nation's highest office.

The newly minted Prime Minister's speech wove together themes of cultural harmony, highlighting the nation's simultaneous observance of Lent, Ramadan, and Phagwa as emblematic of Trinidad and Tobago's unique social fabric – one he pledged to strengthen through governance focused on "integrity, inclusion, and accountability."

In comments following the ceremony, Young extended an olive branch to the absent opposition, directly appealing to Persad-Bissessar: "I ask the opposition and the leader of the opposition to join with me to build a better Trinidad and Tobago."

Yet underneath this conciliatory message ran a more determined current, with Young stating he would "not be hindered by anyone who does not want what is best for TT." When pressed on specific plans for his administration, the Prime Minister remained strategically vague, saying only, "Let's wait and see how it unfolds."

Young emphasized his commitment to prioritizing youth initiatives, cultural development, and security concerns, areas he identified as requiring immediate attention "off of the strong foundation that we've built."

As Trinidad and Tobago turns this new political page, the contrasting images of the day – celebratory supporters alongside notable absences – reflect the challenges facing Young's call for his "New Chapter" in the nation's story.

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