Perry Christie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable Perry Gladstone Christie
Christie in 2013
3rd Prime Minister of the Bahamas
In office 8 May 2012 – 11 May 2017
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Arthur Foulkes Marguerite Pindling
Deputy	Philip Davis
Preceded by	Hubert Ingraham
Succeeded by	Hubert Minnis
In office 6 June 2005 – 4 May 2007
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Ivy Dumont Paul Adderley (Acting) Arthur Dion Hanna
Deputy	Cynthia Pratt
Preceded by	Cynthia Pratt (Acting)
Succeeded by	Hubert Ingraham
In office 3 May 2002 – 4 May 2005
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Ivy Dumont
Deputy	Cynthia Pratt
Preceded by	Hubert Ingraham
Succeeded by	Cynthia Pratt (Acting)
Minister of Finance of the Bahamas
In office 2002–2007
Preceded by	William Clifford Allen
Succeeded by	Hubert Ingraham
In office 2012–2017
Preceded by	Hubert Ingraham
Succeeded by	Peter Turnquest
Personal details
Born	Perry Gladstone Christie (1943-08-21) 21 August 1943 (age 81) Nassau, Bahamas
Political party	Progressive Liberal Party
Spouse	Bernadette Hanna
Alma mater	University of Birmingham City Law School

Perry Gladstone Christie was a very important politician in The Bahamas. He was born on August 21, 1943. He served as the Prime Minister of The Bahamas two times: first from 2002 to 2007, and again from 2012 to 2017.

He was a Member of Parliament for a long time, representing the Centreville constituency from 1977 to 2017. This makes him one of the longest-serving elected officials in Bahamian history. He was also a former athlete. His political party, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), is the oldest in The Bahamas. It has won many elections and had strong support in the Bahamian Parliament.

Perry Christie's Political Journey

The University of Birmingham, where Perry Christie studied.

Perry Christie started his political career at a young age. In November 1974, he was chosen by Prime Minister Lynden Pindling to be a Senator. He served as a Senator until June 1977. In January 1977, he became the chairman of the Gaming Board, which is in charge of regulating casinos in The Bahamas.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In the 1977 general election, Christie was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Centreville area. Soon after, he became the Minister of Health and National Insurance. He held this position until 1982.

In June 1982, he was re-elected as a Member of Parliament for Centreville. He was then appointed to the Prime Minister's Cabinet again, this time as the Minister of Tourism. As Minister of Tourism, Christie helped the tourism industry in The Bahamas grow significantly.

Changes and Leadership

In 1984, Christie left the cabinet. In the 1987 general election, he ran as an independent candidate and still won his seat in Centreville. Three years later, in March 1990, Christie rejoined the Progressive Liberal Party. The Prime Minister then appointed him as the Minister of Agriculture, Trade, and Industry.

His responsibilities included agriculture, trade, industry, mining, and relations with important Bahamian organizations. In January 1993, after his party lost the 1992 election, Christie was elected as a co-deputy leader of the PLP.

In April 1997, he was elected as the leader of the PLP. He then became the Leader of the Opposition. He took over from Lynden Pindling, who had led the PLP since 1956. Perry Christie also served as the Minister of Finance from 2002 to 2007, and again from 2012 to 2017.

Key Events After 2007

In May 2007, Christie's party, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), lost the general election. They won 18 seats, while the Free National Movement (FNM) won 23. Christie accepted the defeat and became the Leader of the Opposition.

In November 2009, Christie was re-elected as the Leader of the PLP at their annual meeting. He won with a large majority of votes.

Return to Prime Ministership

Christie was re-elected as Prime Minister of The Bahamas on May 7, 2012. During his time as Prime Minister, he introduced important programs like Urban Renewal. He also brought in a Value Added Tax (VAT) at a rate of 7.5%. This tax was meant to help pay off the country's national debt.

2017 General Elections

In the general elections held on May 10, 2017, the Free National Movement (FNM) won by a large margin. The FNM secured 35 seats, while the PLP won only 4 seats. This was a significant defeat for the PLP.

Perry Christie also lost his own seat in Centreville by a very small number of votes. He had represented this constituency for 40 years.

Perry Christie's Second Government (2012–2017)

During his second term as Prime Minister, Perry Christie led a government with many ministers. Here are some of the key positions and the people who held them:

See also

In Spanish: Perry Christie para niños