Pierre Charles
| Pierre Charles | |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister of Dominica | |
| In office 3 October 2000 – 6 January 2004 |
|
| Preceded by | Roosevelt Douglas |
| Succeeded by | Osborne Riviere (acting) |
| Member of Parliament for Grand Bay |
|
| In office 1985 – 6 January 2004 |
|
| Succeeded by | John Fabien |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 30, 1954 Grand Bay, Dominica |
| Died | January 6, 2004 (aged 49) Roseau, Domenica |
| Political party | DLP |
| Spouse(s) | Justina Charles |
| Residence | Grand Bay, Dominica |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Pierre Charles (June 30, 1954 – January 6, 2004) was Prime Minister of Dominica from 2000 to 2004 as well as Member of Parliament for Grand Bay, Dominica from 1985 until his death. He was born in Grand Bay in Saint Patrick parish. He began his high school education at the Dominica Grammar School and completed it at the St. Mary's Academy before pursuing studies at the local teachers college. He served as a teacher and community organizer before entering elective office.
He became ill in February 2003, and had angioplasty surgery. Concerns about his health led to calls for him to step down. However, he continued to serve as prime minister until his death, which occurred during a medical leave of absence. Osborne Riviere acted as Prime Minister in Charles' stead. However, upon return from his medical leave of absence, Charles succumbed to a heart attack while being driven home from a Cabinet meeting. Political Ascendancy
In 1979, Pierre Charles, at the age of 25, was appointed a Senator in Dominica’s Parliament. In the general elections of 1985, he contested the Grand Bay seat, and won, though his Dominica Labour Party (led by Rosie Douglas’ brother, Michael) lost to the incumbent Dominica Freedom Party under the leadership of the formidable Dame Eugenia Charles, Dominica longest serving head of state. For the next 15 years, Charles remained in that position, as irremovable from Grand Bay as Rosie Douglas was from Portsmouth. For example, in the 1995 election which saw the unseating of Dame Eugenia’s DFP by the United Workers’ Party (UWP) led by Edison James, Charles took over 51% of the 1936 votes cast in his home parish.
When the Dominica Labour Party (in coalition with the DFP) came to power in 2000 under the leadership of Rosie Douglas, Charles was appointed Minister of Public Works and Communications. During the eight months of Douglas’ rule, Charles was often called upon to function as the acting Prime Minister. When Douglas suddenly died in October 2000, it was Charles – a proven patriot with almost thirty years in fighting for and building a better Dominica – who was elevated as Douglas’ successor.
Charles was an Honorary Member of The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation
[edit] External links
- Dominica PM dies: Globe and Mail (Canada)
| Preceded by Rosie Douglas |
Prime Minister of Dominica Oct.2000-Jan. 2004 |
Succeeded by Roosevelt Skerrit |
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