Daniel Stewart - Yesterday
Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Saturday that he will call a referendum in the country to become a republic within the next three years on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Archive - Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, greets the guard of honor at Bird VC Airport in Antigua and Barbuda as he visits the Caribbean for Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. - Joe Giddens/PA Wire/dpa© Provided by News 360
The Caribbean country is one of 14 nations that retains the British monarchy as its head of state. In fact, Browne has signed a document confirming Charles III's status as the new king.
However, the prime minister has assured that he will work for a republican referendum, as he indicated earlier this year during a visit of the royal family to the islands.
"This is not an act of hostility or any difference between Antigua and Barbuda and the monarchy, but it is the final step to complete that circle of independence, to ensure that we are truly a sovereign nation," he told British television network ITV.
"I would say probably within the next three years," he has added, when asked about a timeframe for the referendum.
The islands became independent in 1981 and Browne sees a republic as the natural progression. If the prime minister is re-elected next year, he will introduce the referendum in his new term.
No comments:
Post a Comment