[20211209]IF10912_牙买加.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated December 9, 2021JamaicaPolitical and Economic Environment Jamaica, the most populous English-speaking Caribbean nation, has had a relatively stable parliamentary political system stemming from its history of British colonial rule, though extensive political violence often marred elections in the 1970s and 1980s. Two political partiesthe center-left Peoples National Party (PNP) and the center-right Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)have dominated the political system since before the countrys 1962 independence. Figure 1. Jamaica Map Source: CRS. Current Prime Minister Andrew Holness of the JLP was first elected in 2016 when his party defeated the PNP, led by then-Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who had led the government since 2011. Holness and the JLP won a second term in September 2020 in which the party substantially increased its representation in parliament from a slim majority to control 49 out of 63 seats in the House of Representatives. Although turnout was low, Holnesss popularity reportedly helped secure the JLPs victory. The Jamaican economy, which is heavily dependent on services, especially tourism, has been hard hit by the Coronavi