Antigua and Barbuda hold referendum on republican transition three days after Queen’s death

Prime Minister Gaston Brown of Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean

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Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean island nation with the British king as its head of state, announced that it would hold a referendum on a republican transition within three years, boosting the interpretation that the centrifugal force of the Commonwealth would become visible immediately following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Brown told ITV on the 11th (local time), “This is the last step to ensure that we are a truly sovereign nation and complete the cycle of independence,” according to the British Daily Guardian. He showed his willingness to vote.

Prime Minister Brown, who signed a document recognizing Charles III as the next king prior to an interview with ITV, said the transition to a republic did not represent hostility and differences between Antigua and Barbuda and Britain, even if a referendum would abolish the monarchy. Antigua and Barbuda said it would remain a dedicated nation of the Commonwealth.

When asked regarding the timing of the referendum, he replied, “probably within three years.”

Commonwealth refers to a loose coalition of Britain and 56 independent nations that were colonies of the United Kingdom. Among them, Antigua and Barbuda is one of 15 countries, including the UK, where the British monarch is the head of state.

Earlier, Prime Minister Brown said that he wanted Antigua and Barbuda to transform into a republic when Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son, Prince Edward, and his wife, the Countess of Wessex, visited their country in April.

A move away from the monarchy is also seen in other Caribbean countries, such as Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize.

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holnes said that when Prince William and his wife visited Jamaica in March, Jamaica wanted to break up with the British royal family and become independent as a republic. has said

During their visit to Central and South America at the time, Prince William and his wife had to face voices demanding reparations for their past colonial rule and an apology for slavery.

In the 15th and 19th centuries, during the height of European imperialism, more than 10 million Africans were forced to emigrate to the Caribbean by white slave traders, and it is known that they were exploited in plantation farms and other places.

After visiting the then-Caribbean country, Prince William acknowledged that “the future is for the people to decide” and that the days left for the monarchy to remain in the Caribbean are few, the Guardian said.

Australia’s Sydney Opera House pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II [AP 연합뉴스 자료사진. 재판매 및 DB 금지]

Meanwhile, in Australia, which is a Commonwealth country and has the British monarch as its head of state, debates over the abolition of the monarchy are heating up following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanage said on Sunday that “it is a time to pay tribute and respect to Queen Elizabeth II” and will not hold a referendum on the transition to a republic during her first term in office. said it would

Albanage Prime Minister took office in May. The term of the Prime Minister of Australia is three years.

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