St. Mary’s North MP Philmore Benjamin was on Monday elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives during the first sitting of Antigua and Barbuda’s new Parliament following the April 30 general election.

Benjamin, a veteran parliamentarian and medical doctor, was chosen without opposition as members convened for the formal reopening of the Lower House.

The sitting also saw Osbert Frederick returned unopposed as Speaker of the House.

Parliament’s reopening comes ahead of the ceremonial opening of Parliament and the Throne Speech scheduled for May 26, when Governor General Sir Rodney Williams is expected to outline the government’s legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session.