Post date: Jan 07, 2012 2:32:48 PM
Jamaica's new Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says the time has come for her country to cut ties with the British monarchy during her inaugural address.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA (JANUARY 6, 2012) (REUTERS) - Speaking at her inaugural address, Jamaica's new Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said the time has come for her country to cut ties with the British monarchy and strike out on its own as a republic Friday (January 6).
"We will initiate the process of our detachment from the Monarchy," said Simpson to applause."To become a republic with our own indigenous president as head of state."
"I love the Queen. She's a beautiful lady and apart from being a beautiful lady a wise lady and a wonderful lady. But I think time come."
Miller who won in a landslide victory in an election that turned largely on discontent with the Caribbean nation's ailing economy and massive debt.
Jamaica's unemployment rate rose to about 13 percent, from just under 10 percent in 2007 when the JLP won power in 2007, and its public debt totals more than 120 percent of gross domestic product.
Simpson Miller said during her inauguration on Thursday that the new government's top priorities would be creating jobs, restoring trust in government and reassuring financial markets that the administration would be fiscally responsible.
Jamaica has little room to maneuver in its budget. Almost 60 percent of its current-year spending goes to debt payment and debt service, while another 30 percent goes to government payrolls.