Chastanet’s absence follows similar decisions in 2022 and 2025, with the Opposition Leader maintaining that the speaking order is prejudicial. However, in a forceful rebuttal on Thursday, March 26, Pierre rejected that argument and defended the procedures of Parliament.

“The people of Saint Lucia never elected who will speak first or who will speak last,” Pierre declared. “The people of Saint Lucia never said if you have one member there is any special time for you to speak.”

He pointed to regional examples to underscore his position.

“In Barbados as we speak there are no members of the opposition. There are 30 members on one side, Mr Speaker,” he said, referencing Barbados.

Pierre insisted that the Government had made provisions to accommodate the Opposition Leader’s participation.

“We have given the leader of the opposition the privilege to have the same time with the Prime Minister if he decides to respond to the motion,” he stated. “We have said to him that when the Minister of Finance delivers the budget statement, he can get the exact amount of time to respond.”

Despite this, the Prime Minister accused Chastanet of refusing to engage, attributing it to what he described as arrogance.

“Because of his arrogance and his disgust for the choice of the people of Saint Lucia, he believes he has some divine time to speak when he wants,” Pierre said. “There is nothing legal about that. There is nothing practical about that. There is no moral correctness in that belief.”

He further suggested that the Opposition Leader has not come to terms with past electoral outcomes.

“It is because of a belief that he is superior and a belief that he does not understand that the people of Saint Lucia have rejected him twice,” Pierre asserted.

Pierre also stressed that all parliamentarians are subject to the same rules, regardless of position.

“We have just begun putting him on notice today that he will be treated in the Parliament like a regular member like all of us,” he said. “There is no privilege in this House for anybody.”

“You have called me up, you have stopped me from speaking, you have told me I have had my time. You have told every member this morning no extra time. Why does the leader of the opposition believe he has any special privilege?” he continued.

The Prime Minister warned that such actions undermine both parliamentary norms and public trust.

“I want the young people of Saint Lucia to understand that what is happening here is disrespect for the people of Micoud South,” he said.

Pierre maintained that any dispute over political standing would ultimately be resolved by voters at the polls, as debate on the national budget continues without input from the Opposition Leader.