Dominica Freedom Party

The Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) is a conservative political party in Dominica.

Dominica Freedom Party
LeaderMichael Astaphan
Founded1968
IdeologyConservatism
Political positionCentre-right to Right-wing
International affiliationInternational Democrat Union
Regional affiliationCaribbean Democrat Union
House of Assembly
0 / 21

The party lost all of its seats in the House of Assembly at 2005 general election, held on 5 May 2005. This was the first time since 1975 that the DFP was not elected in any seats. The party garnered 3.15% of votes cast.

During the previous elections held on 31 January 2000, the party won two of the 21 popularly elected seats with 13.6% of votes cast. The party subsequently joined a coalition government with the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), with the DLP not having enough seats to form a government on their own.

The DFP was led by Dame Eugenia Charles from 1972 until 1995.[1] She became Prime Minister in 1980 and served until her 1995 retirement. Following her resignation as party leader and the defeat of the DFP in the 1995 elections by the United Workers' Party, she was succeeded by Brian Alleyne.

In 1996, Charles Savarin became the leader of the DFP. He had presided over the continuing decline of the DFP following the 2000 general election. Despite this the party still holds a degree of influence due to its accommodation with the DLP government. Even after losing all its seats and the DLP winning enough seats to form a government on their own, the DLP leader and prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit appointed Savarin as a senator and gave him the key post of foreign minister. Many members of the DFP have criticized Savarin for his continued support for their erstwhile foes, the DLP.

However on 5 August 2007 a new executive was elected, with businessman Michael Astaphan being elected as Political Leader.[2]

International Affiliations

The Dominica Freedom Party is affiliated with the Caribbean Democrat Union[3] and the International Democrat Union[4]

Electoral history

House of Assembly elections
Election Party leader Votes % Seats +/– Position Government
1970 Eugenia Charles 7,578 38.3%
2 / 11
 2 2nd Opposition
1975 6,920 32.4%
3 / 21
 1 2nd Opposition
1980 15,706 51.3%
17 / 21
 14 1st Government
1985 18,865 56.7%
15 / 21
 2 1st Government
1990 16,529 49.4%
11 / 21
 4 1st Government
1995 13,317 35.8%
5 / 21
 6 2nd Opposition
2000 Charles Savarin 4,858 13.6%
2 / 21
 3 3rd DFP–DLP–coalition
2005 1,194 3.15%
0 / 21
 2 3rd Extra-parliamentary
2009 Michael Astaphan 866 2.39%
0 / 21
 3rd Extra-parliamentary

References
  1. "Dame Mary Eugenia Charles". www.uwicaricom.org. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  2. "Michael Astaphan to lead the Dominica Freedom Party" Archived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine, Dominicanewsdesk.com, 9 August 2007.
  3. "Caribbean Democrat Union". International Democrat Union. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  4. "Member Parties". International Democrat Union. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
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