St Vincent and Grenadines government pauses constitutional amendment bills after public backlash
Summary
The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has paused two bills intended to change the constitution after protests and public backlash. The bills aimed to clarify rules about citizenship eligibility for members of parliament, especially regarding dual citizenship with Commonwealth countries.Key Facts
- The government delayed two bills that would amend the 1979 constitution about citizenship and parliamentary eligibility.
- The bills followed election petitions challenging the eligibility of Prime Minister Godwin Friday and MP Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, who both have Canadian and Vincentian citizenship.
- Protesters opposed the bills, saying the constitutional changes were made without public input and protected politicians with foreign citizenship.
- The constitution currently disqualifies anyone who owes allegiance to a foreign power from being an MP.
- The government proposed to limit "foreign power" to non-Commonwealth countries, allowing dual citizens from Commonwealth countries to hold office.
- The issue is linked to a recent court case where a former prime minister in St Kitts and Nevis lost his seat due to holding a foreign passport.
- Some experts warned the timing of the bills could undermine the rule of law since the court is already reviewing similar issues.
- Dual citizenship has caused political debates across Caribbean nations in recent years.
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