{"id":275949,"date":"2026-05-11T13:30:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T17:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=275949"},"modified":"2026-05-11T13:30:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T17:30:30","slug":"hughes-wehner-and-azille-sworn-in-as-opposition-senators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/hughes-wehner-and-azille-sworn-in-as-opposition-senators\/","title":{"rendered":"Hughes, Wehner, and Azille Sworn In as Opposition Senators"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Three UPP Senators Sworn In as Governor General Urges Integrity and Respect for Democracy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Three United Progressive Party (UPP) senators were officially sworn in Monday afternoon during a ceremony at Government House attended by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Sandra Williams.<\/p>

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Ashworth Azille, Jonathan Wehner and Chester Hughes took the oath of office during the ceremony, which also marked the formal appointment of Jamale Pringle as Leader of the Opposition following Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s April 30 general election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opposition Senator-designate Malaka Parker was not sworn in during Monday\u2019s ceremony. In an earlier statement, Parker said she was unable to attend due to \u201cextenuating circumstances\u201d requiring travel and indicated that she would announce the date of her swearing-in once arrangements are made.<\/p>

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Addressing the newly appointed senators, Sir Rodney stressed the importance of the Senate within Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s parliamentary democracy and urged members of the Upper House to carry out their responsibilities with \u201cmaturity, wisdom, integrity and respect for our democratic institutions.\u201d<\/p>

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\u201cThe people of Antigua and Barbuda expect and deserve meaningful debate, responsible representation and legislation that advances justice, fairness, opportunity and national development,\u201d the Governor General said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sir Rodney said the Senate plays a critical role in reviewing legislation, contributing expertise and ensuring laws passed by Parliament are carefully examined in the national interest.<\/p>

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\u201cThe Senate is at its strongest when it reflects thoughtful debate, mutual respect, intellectual rigour and sincere commitment to the people of Antigua and Barbuda,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Governor General also described the Office of the Opposition Leader as a \u201cvital institution\u201d within the country\u2019s parliamentary democracy, saying the Opposition plays an essential role in accountability, scrutiny and constructive debate.<\/p>

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Three UPP Senators Sworn In as Governor General Urges Integrity and Respect for Democracy Three United Progressive Party (UPP) senators were officially sworn in Monday afternoon during a ceremony at Government House attended by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Sandra Williams. Ashworth Azille, Jonathan Wehner and Chester Hughes took the oath of office […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":275950,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-275949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nHughes, Wehner, and Azille Sworn In as Opposition Senators - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/hughes-wehner-and-azille-sworn-in-as-opposition-senators\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hughes, Wehner, and Azille Sworn In as Opposition Senators\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Three UPP Senators Sworn In as Governor General Urges Integrity and Respect for Democracy Three United Progressive Party (UPP) senators were officially sworn in Monday afternoon during a ceremony at Government House attended by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Sandra Williams. 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