Barbados is about to swear in a new ceremonial president, the second since it ditched the British monarchical system and switched to a republic four years ago.
A joint session of the House and Senate in Bridgetown on Tuesday approved retired military Lt. Col Jeffrey Bostic, 64, as the new head of state from the end of November, when the term of former judge Sandra Mason expires.
At the end of November 2021, while the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, Barbados joined fellow CARICOM bloc members Guyana, Trinidad, and Dominica as the only republics in the 15-nation grouping outside of Suriname and Haiti, not former British colonies.
Based on the unanimous support of the main opposition, the Democratic Labor Party, and other groups, Bostic appears to have wide support for his new appointment.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley praised the former lawmaker and wellness minister during her remarks at the joint sitting.
“I believe that Jeffrey Bostic possesses all of these qualities. His record speaks eloquently with multi-disciplinary coordination, policy development and implementation, strategic planning, and proven leadership.”
She said he came with “the moral authority that comes only from a lifetime of putting nation and community before self.”
Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne also praised the man credited with guiding Barbados through the pandemic. The DLP has no issues with Bostic.
“Sometimes those waters are calm, sometimes those waters are tempestuous. That is why the office of the head of state becomes all-important. That person must bring to the office a steady hand. That person must bring to the office stability. And above all, that person must bring to the office wisdom and a sense of justice,” Thorne stated.
Bostic, who is fluent in Spanish, graduated from the University of the West Indies and served as director of operations of the Barbados-based regional security system before retiring from the military service. He also served as health and wellness minister for four years.
