ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, October 5th — Opposition Leader and New National Party (NNP) Political Leader Emmalin Pierre has challenged Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell to a nationally televised, independently organized debate, declaring that she is prepared to defend her party’s policies and confront the government’s record as Grenada heads toward the November 5 general election.

Pierre issued the challenge during a national address Monday morning, hours after the election campaign formally moved into high gear after the polling date was confirmed.

“Today I want to challenge the outgoing Prime Minister to a fair and independently organized national debate,” Pierre said. “I will lay the cards on the table to show that the record of performance over the last four years has been found wanting.”

The Opposition Leader used much of her address to frame the election around the cost of living, representation and accountability, arguing that many Grenadian households are struggling with rising expenses.

“As I travel across this country, I hear the same concern again and again. Life is becoming harder, and too many Grenadians are just struggling simply to make ends meet,” she said.

Pierre pointed specifically to the cost of food, rent, utilities, and transportation, while arguing that wages have not kept pace with household expenses. She also accused the Mitchell administration of allowing opportunities to benefit people with political connections—an allegation the Opposition Leader has made that the government has disputed in similar political exchanges.

She promised that an NNP administration would focus on putting “more money in their pockets, more room to breathe, and more left over after paying the bills.”

Pierre also pledged that the NNP would run what she described as a clean campaign, urging supporters not to respond to personal attacks.

“When they go low, we go high,” she said, borrowing the well-known phrase associated with former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama. “We will debate the issues, present our vision, and give the people of Grenada the respect that they deserve.”

Pierre said she was not seeking support because she is a woman, but wanted voters to judge her on her policies, programs, and team.

“I do not come to you asking for preferential treatment because I’m a woman,” she said. “I ask you to judge me on the strength of my policies and programs.”

Grenada’s general election is scheduled for November 5, with Nomination Day set for October 15. The NDC won nine of the 15 elected seats in 2022, defeating the NNP, which secured six. Pierre succeeded former Prime Minister Keith Mitchell as NNP leader in 2024 and will lead the party into its first general election.