100 Days Later, How’s Your New Government Performing?

John Briceño

The first one hundred days are often critical for any political party upon assuming office.  Not only does it serve as a transition period for an incoming administration, it is also an opportunity to start off on the right foot.  Since taking office in November of last year, Prime Minister John Briceño has been occupied with the business of the country which includes turning around its grim financial outlook.  Having reached its initial milestone, the new People’s United Party government is already looking back at the challenges it has had to overcome during the first one hundred days.  In reflecting, PM Briceño begins with the dismal state of Belize’s economy and the extent to which the previous administration emptied the public purse. 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“After hearing from the former prime minister and the financial secretary, it was revealed the hundred and twelve government vehicles were sold off for an average of only two thousand, six hundred dollars.  Some as low as two hundred dollars.  This is beyond shameful.  Our starting point is clear, our economy has collapsed.  Personal income has fallen to 1992 levels.  Sixty-eight percent of our labor force is either unemployed or underemployed.  Unemployment is at thirty percent.  Eighty-six cents of every dollar that government collects are spent on wages, salaries and pensions.  Our debt to G.D.P. ratio is at a hundred and thirty-four percent and the U.D.P. left us this year alone with a five hundred million dollar deficit that we will all have to pay.  This is our inherited starting point.  This is what the U.D.P. did to our country.”