Charles Savarin

Charles Angelo Savarin, DAH (born 2 October 1943) is a politician from Dominica who served as President of Dominica from 2013 to 2023. He is a member of the Dominica Labour Party and served for a time as Minister for National Security, Immigration, Labour and the Public Service.

Political life

Following the demise of the Patrick John government (in which Savarin played an integral role), Savarin was made Chairman of the Committee for National Salvation (CNS). This body comprising members of the greater cross section of Dominican Society, was tasked with overseeing the transition to an interim government.

Savarin contested the 1980 General Elections on a Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) ticket, losing to Michael Douglas in a four-way race. Savarin polled 405 votes to Douglas's 531 votes.

In 1983, Savarin was appointed as Minister without Portfolio in the Prime Minister's Office with special responsibility for Trade, Industry and Tourism (1983–1985). Then he worked in the Dominica High Commission in UK from 1985 to 1986. However, he replaced Dame Eugenia as the party's flag bearer in the Roseau Central Constituency. Savarin emerged victorious at the polls with some 1013 votes to Norris Prevo's 759. When Brian Alleyne resigned as DFP leader and leader of the Opposition in 1996, Savarin again entered the leadership race. On 20 April 1996, Savarin received 86 out of 107 votes at the party's General Council. He served as leader of the DFP until 2007 where mounting criticism of his leadership forced him to resign. During his first term as Roseau Central MP, Savarin championed the cause of "equal educational opportunities" for children in the Roseau catchment area. He was again re-elected as MP for Roseau in the 2000 General elections this time by a much reduced margin. Savarin entered into a coalition arrangement with the Rosie Douglas-led Dominica Labour Party. He was appointed Minister for Tourism. Savarin was also rewarded for his loyalty to the coalition and was named Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Labour (2005–2007). Savarin grew in stature and was the most notable trade union leader on the island. The CSA's orientation was middle class, not working class. Though its membership came from the formerly disenfranchised Dominican working class, which had gained socio-economic ascendancy through earlier Labour Party reform, most of the CSA leadership was now sympathetic to the Freedom Party. Indeed, the CSA and other local trade union now followed the pro business and neo-colonial philosophy of the US AFL-CIO which had pursued a fiercely anti-Leftwing policy in Latin America.

President

Charles Savarin has held the mainly ceremonial post of President of Dominica from 2013 to 2023. President Savarin was re-elected in 2018 to a new five-year term.

Honours

Foreign honours

20px Two Sicilian Royal Family: Knight Grand Cross of Merit of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George (5 November 2014).

National honour

Dominica Award of Honour (DAH)