Allen Chastanet, Leader of the Opposition for Saint Lucia, addresses the House of Representatives during the Saint Lucia Budget Debate for 2026/2027. In this full contribution, Chastanet challenges the administration’s financial strategy and raises urgent concerns about the country’s debt trajectory, IMF performance benchmarks, and the growing fiscal deficit.
KEY POINTS RAISED:
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- National debt increased from $3.3 billion to $5.1 billion (2018–2026)
- Debt-to-GDP ratio at 77% — 17 points above the ECCU regional target
- Saint Lucia passed only 1 out of 10 IMF fiscal benchmarks
- Capital investment was cut while recurrent spending rose by $151 million
- Fiscal deficit deteriorating from -$143 million to -$212 million
“The people of this country are living the consequences of these numbers every single day.” — Hon. Allen Chastanet
