Holness upsets Simpson-Miller, elected Prime Minister of Jamaica

Labour Party, led by Holness, takes Parliament

KINGSTON, Jamaica – People in Jamaica elected a new Prime Minister on Thursday, marking a change in politics for the largest English-speaking country in the Caribbean. 

 

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The Labour Party, which is led by 43-year-old Andrew Holness, captured 33 of the 63-seat Parliament, enough to win a narrow victory over the ruling People's National Party led by 70-year-old Portia Simpson-Miller.

 

Holness upset Simpson-Miller, who was believed to be ahead in the polls..

 

He pledges to create jobs and grow the economy, while improving education and health care.

 

Holness was Prime Minister for a brief period of time in 2011.

 

Jamaican media reported heavy security at the polls because of a series of shootings in the last month.