The Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led United National Congress (UNC) roared to an emphatic victory in the 2025 Trinidad and Tobago general election, returning to power as the twin-island republic’s first and only female prime minister on Monday night (April 28).

Securing 26 seats, including the marginal East-West corridor and San Fernando West constituencies, the UNC crushed the Stuart Young-led People’s National Movement (PNM) which will now assume the opposition caucus of the Trinbagonian parliament for the first time since 2010.

PNM woes worsened in Tobago as the newly formed Tobago People’s Party (TPP) claimed two previously thought ‘safe seats’ on the smaller island and an invitation to form the new government with Persaud-Bissessar.

In all, the PNM ended a snap re-election campaign with 13 seats, eight seats fewer than in 2020 and woefully short of the 21-seat majority needed to maintain its hold on power.

A crestfallen Rowley, present at the PNM’s Balisier House headquarters last night, conceded defeat and maintained his confidence in Young, who was prime minister for just over a month.

“Tonight is not a good night for the PNM, but it might be a good night for Trinidad and Tobago. The results are coming in and from what we have here at Balisier House, it is clear that we have lost the election. We’ve done it before, conceding defeat on election night but tomorrow is a new day,” said Rowley.

“We had to concede in December 1986, 1995 and in 2010, so this 70-year-old party, sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t win—tonight is one of those nights where surprisingly, we have not done very well in the general election. But from (Tuesday), the PNM will begin to prepare itself for the next call within the next 60 months. We wish all the leaders well, as our country is now in their hands,” the leader added.

With jubilation erupting among supporters at the UNC’s headquarters in Chaguanas, Prime Minister-elect Persad-Bissessar hailed the win as a fitting ‘birthday present’.

She also vowed to hit the ground running to address the needs of Trinidad and Tobago.

“Let us say thanks and praise to Almighty God—when God says yes, nobody can say ‘no’ … this has been a tremendous blessing … now that the UNC has won—everybody wins!” Persad-Bissessar mused.

“It is now that the real work starts … we’ll be focused on delivering on our promises. I give you the assurance that no one will be left behind—when UNC wins, Trinbago wins,” she continued.

This was the first election after the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) redrew the boundaries for 16 constituencies and renamed five. Some 17 political parties and three independents contested the 2025 general election.