Chalika Vidal of Salisbury has now joined the team of opposition senators.
Ms. Vidal who is 24-years-old took her oath during Parliament today and was sworn in by Speaker of the House of Assembly, Joseph Isaac.
She replaces former Senator Sean Douglas following a move by Opposition Leader Jesma Paul-Victor last year to remove Douglas from his position.
The rift between Paul-Victor and Douglas suggested a perceptible lack of trust. The opposition leader revealed that her decision was the result of weeks of thoughtful contemplation aimed at safeguarding the “dignity and credibility of our democratic governance processes from individual excesses.”
The public became aware of this decision when Paul-Victor penned a letter to Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, the President of Dominica, on November 6, 2023, formally requesting the immediate revocation of Senator Douglas’s appointment.
Meanwhile, Opposition Senator, Delbert Paris said he believes that Vidal has what it takes and is up to the task of representing her people well.
Vidal’s biography, presented by the Division of Culture during her participation in the 2023 Miss Wob Dwiyet competition, stated that she began her educational journey at the Salisbury Primary School where she developed her love for culture by being a member of the school’s cultural dance group. She then went on to the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School where she graduated in 2018 on the honor’s list and as Student of the Year.
At the end of her high school career, she pursued an Associate’s Degree in Economics and Psychology at the Dominica State College. While at the Dominica State College, she was very active in extracurricular activities where she held the positions of President of the Environmental Club (2019), Former PRO of Dominica State College Student Government Association (2019), and former member of the Dominica State Debate Club (2019).
Ms. Vidal is described as a very humble, energetic, and community-oriented individual who enjoys doing voluntary work and community involvement projects. She is currently a member of the Salisbury Sports Committee.
Her hobbies are listed as dancing, reading, and engaging in public speaking activities.
Vidal plans to further her education in Marketing and Communication and she also hopes to continue being an exemplary role model and to participate in additional cultural activities.
Linton doe have no GCE no CXC,the man is uneducated.Because Edison James is from Marigot and Linton is from Marigot,Edison make Linton UWP political leader,when that happen One Love was not born.
you are right but again, jesma mind is more shallow than the layout river pertaining to state governnance
Bad move on the part of the kinder garden opposition leader. The only reason why she choose her friend from her constituency is to attract the youth vote in the coming election. This stinks of nepotism and we should condemn it. The opposition leader is a bully that does not understand her role, or the role of the opposition in general. Plus, she has been compromised by the SOS. Again , thats a really bad move. As much as we love Bawi and Marigot, the opposition is about Dca. Not good!
WOW! A new senator, happened to Blanc? A year and 4 months after election the opposition on 3 different senators what a joke.
So heartwarming to see young people taking an active role in places in our society where it matters. It really does give a sense of hope for our gem – Dominica. I pray Chalika creates a domino effect of other young people being sensible and stepping up to the plate. Red or Blue, it’s always a good thing to see the few young people we have left in the country (catch that), doing what they can in their own little way. You go girl.
Am sorry but a 24yr old cannot contribute anything serious or meaningful to Dominica, little girl come back in 10yrs. Dominica is being left behind in the OECS because we lack leadership, vision, planning and pride, its almost like anything goes and hope for the best. The PM installed a young girl as Pal Rep in Paix Bouche and she on camera shop lifting now de opposition giving us another young girl, i hope she not on camera.
So what about the Minister – Lakeiya Joseph. What is she capable of contributing at 24?
This Leader of the opposition Jesma Paul V IS A TOO SHOW, SHE DON’T KNOW WHAT SHE ABOUT.
More mahjee. What is this so called opposition doing in any case? And who is this chick they replace Sean with? A friend of the “opposition leader”? Just putting her girls and dem in high place just to draw a salary and do NOTHING? When will We get on track some serious people? People who want nothing from the state but only an opportunity to serve the nation to the best of their abilities? Tired of seeing these kinds of people play dress up just to elevate themselves and their self importance.
Congratulation Miss Vidal, have no idea who you a, when i left you were not thought of, but where Salisbury is concern i know you are not a push over, when you get the chance to represent your people do it with grace and humility and firmness ,that’s were repect comes in. Congratulation again on your new roll, will be following.
Congratulation Miss Vidal, have no idea who you a, when i left you were not thought of, but where Salisbury is concern i know you are not a push over, when you get the chance to represent your people do it with grace and humility and firmness ,that were repect comes in. Congratulation again on your new roll, will be following.
Dominica is presently drowning in problems. The country is experiencing runaway inflation, skyrocketing unemployment, mushrooming deb, entrenched poverty untold corruption, no transparency, no accountability, unchecked corruption. The list of challenges is infinite.
I’ve said all that to ask this question. When was the last time have we heard from the parliamentary opposition leader advocating for better governance, or offering plans and strategies to raise the standard of living for the downtrodden?
Mrs Jesma Paulo Victor is grotesquely unqualified for the position of parliamentary Opposition leader. In no other country in the Caribbean could she even be a senator.
The lady should be recalled. She is part of the problem with the shoddy governance in
Dominica.
Dominica’s parliament is a house of clowns and deplorales masquerading as leaders.
Really, seriously? This is how the Opposition hope to get rid of Labour? By treating being in Opposition as a click of friends and family? Good luck to you all, the joke continues! Labour shall remain in office for as long as there is no organised Opposition to Labour, and that is a crying sad shame! I am not a Labour supporter and I cannot see any Opposition party winning the next election or beating Labour! What does that say about the Opposition parties? Time to shine the spotlight on the Opposition in Dominica!
The leader of the opposition should resign. unfortunately she has made sure that her inability to function in this arena is duly noted. A bad choice it shows the calibre of advisers they’:e got.
Now the young lady you are not in politics for nation building and politics. You are like minded – make their pension, others like you a raise funds .
Most people are US citizens or green card holders some some give up citizenship temporarily while still holding onto to the string.
You should have gone ahead get educated and who advises these people? who did she consult? How did she go about selecting a person? Are you all even thinking?
The country on a Kalingo fight for positions what is going on?
The United Workers Party under a NO NAMED PARTY. two forever seats. Foreign influenced. what is going on?
I cannot wait for next elections.
I.am back to minding my busimess My MID TERM paper and the israel Gaza protests, wars etc.
But as though She Pretty yeh!!!
She look Smart too wi,,,
I don’t know this young lady though I like her her accomplishments. However, I don’t think it is a good move for Dominica because we don’t have to be seen as an opposition from Salisbury and Marigot, since that’s where four of the parliamentarians are from. Yes, these two villages are where the parliamentary representatives came from but at this time our opposition should look more like Dominica and not just two villages. Yes Mr Paris sounds like a well rounded person and to me the only real person that can clearly articulate the views of the country in the opposition I understand Mr Douglas was from Portsmouth and things didn’t work out but why not get a suitable person from another community like Grandbay, Roseau or even Vielle case? I like inclusion and strength what I see is not a win for the country