by Linda Straker
- Emmalin Pierre presented with her Instrument of Appointment on 4 March
- Appointment instruments presented in absence of close family, friends, and acquaintances
- Dr Mitchell became Opposition Leader after June 2022 General Election
11 days after Dr Keith Mitchell informed the nation that he had relinquished the role of Leader of the His Majesty’s Opposition and recommended Hon. Emmalin Pierre in her capacity as the Political Leader of the New National Party (NNP) to be the new Opposition Leader, Pierre was presented with her Instrument of Appointment on 4 March 2025.
However, there was no official ceremony for guests to witness Pierre taking the oath of office before she was presented with the instrument of appointment. Pierre and two other opposition Members of Parliament were summoned to a meeting by Governor-General Dame Cécile La Grenade, following which, the appointment instrument was presented in the absence of close family, friends, and acquaintances.
On her Facebook page, Pierre apologised to her family and close relatives for her inability to notify them in advance that she would be presenting with the instrument of appointment. “My apologies to my family, close friends and supporters. I was presented this morning with my instrument of appointment as Leader of His Majesty’s Opposition. Since I had no prior notice, I was unable to notify or invite you to the ceremony. Thank you, sister Kate and sister Clarice, who were there and shared the moment with me,” she wrote and included a photograph of the instrument.
On 21 February, Dr Mitchell, who became Opposition Leader after the June 2022 General Election, announced that he was transitioning from the role and had already informed the Governor-General. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role and believe it is time for new leadership to guide the party and the opposition forward. My commitment to the people of Grenada remains unwavering, and I will continue to serve as the Member of Parliament for St George North-West,” he said via a press release from his office.
“Hon. Emmalin Pierre, the first female Political Leader of the NNP, will assume the role of Leader of the Opposition. I fully support her leadership and have every confidence in her ability to lead with strength, empathy and deep love for the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique,” he added.
