Ruling PNM Holds On To Majority Following Close T&T Election

• The ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) claimed victory in Trinidad and Tobago’s August 10 general election, after initial results showed the PNM winning 22 of the 41 seats in the House of Representatives.
• The PNM, which had seen its public approval fall in recent quarters, likely benefitted from its relatively successful response to the Covid-19 pandemic, overshadowing the opposition United National Congress (UNC) campaign that largely criticized the PNM government’s record on economic development.
• Following the election, Fitch Solutions has revised T&T’s score on the Short-Term Political Risk Index (SPTRI) up to 57.3 out of 100, from 55.7 previously. Also, since the PNM and Prime Minister Keith Rawley have a mandate for a five-year term, T&T’s score on the ‘policy continuity’ subcomponent has been raised from 58.8 out of 100 to 65.0.

(Source: Fitch Solutions)