Pringle Names – By Jeressa Jeremy
Pringle Names Freitas Upp
Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle has announced that Franz De Freitas will be contesting the St Paul constituency, as Antigua and Barbuda prepares for imminent general elections.
De Freitas takes over from the party’s previous candidate, Wayne Benjamin Marsh, who recently confirmed he will not run in the upcoming polls.
Pringle described the move as part of a wider strategic plan for the United Progressive Party, aimed at strengthening its team across the country.
“Franz has shown his capacity to adjust, his capacity to adapt to situations,” Pringle said. “When I put this to him, he quickly jumped on board and said yes, he will take up the challenge.”
The Opposition Leader emphasized that no constituency will be left unattended. “Persons might wonder, what about St John’s City South? Shortly, you will hear of the candidate for that area. No constituencies are getting a free pass,” he said.
De Freitas, who previously ran in St John’s City South, said he views the move as an opportunity to expand his work rather than step back.
“As it relates to St Paul, let me just say that this is not a move away from St John’s City South. You may know that St John’s City South is where I was born and raised and still live today. What we have here is an expansion of the work that was begun in the constituency of City South. When your country calls you, when your party demands what you do, it is not a negotiation — you get up and serve without big back-and-forth,” De Freitas said.
Focusing on youth and community safety, he added: “When minds have nothing to do, they find other things, including guns, to occupy them. We need programs that give young people opportunities and direction, and we must tackle crime at the community level. It’s about creating a better future and giving people something constructive to engage in.”
UPP officials have confirmed that a candidate for St John’s City South will be announced in the coming days.
With the election looming, Pringle and his team appear determined to position themselves strongly across all constituencies, highlighting a mix of experience, local roots, and strategic planning in their candidate selections.
