Osbert Frederick was on Monday returned unopposed as Speaker of the House of Representatives as Antigua and Barbuda’s Parliament convened for the first sitting of the new legislative term following the April 30 general election.

The sitting marked the formal reopening of the Lower House after the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party secured a fourth consecutive term in office with a landslide victory at the polls.

Parliament also proceeded with the election of a Deputy Speaker and other procedural matters ahead of the ceremonial opening of Parliament and the Throne Speech scheduled for May 26.

Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle and Barbuda MP Trevor Walker were absent from Monday’s sitting after indicating over the weekend that they were overseas attending to personal matters.

In a statement issued Sunday, Pringle said he had traveled to the United States with his minor daughter for a medical procedure, while Walker said he was dealing with family matters.

The two MPs said they would take their Oath of Allegiance at the next ordinary sitting of the Lower House.