Prime Minister Gaston Browne has firmly rejected accusations that government initiatives constitute election "treating," maintaining that ongoing empowerment programmes are rooted in long-standing policy rather than campaign strategy.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the remarks on Pointe FM's Browne and Browne Show, where he argued that measures including land distribution, duty-free concessions, and housing support have been implemented over several years and bear no direct relationship to the timing of the upcoming general election.
The Prime Minister contended that these initiatives are designed to expand economic opportunity and raise living standards, particularly for lower- and middle-income earners. He maintained that the programmes align with his administration's broader development strategy and should not be interpreted as short-term inducements targeting voters.
Browne emphasised that his government's approach has centred on empowering citizens through access to land, housing, and related support mechanisms, stressing that such policies were in place well before the current election cycle began.
His comments come amid heightened political activity as the country moves closer to a general election, with opposition figures raising pointed concerns about the timing of several government initiatives. Browne dismissed those criticisms outright, characterising the measures as evidence of sustained governance rather than election-driven decision-making.
