Voters in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago have ousted Prime Minister Patrick Manning in Monday's snap general elections.
Mr. Manning's People's National Movement lost its 26-seat majority in the 41-seat parliament to the opposition United National Congress coalition, headed by former Attorney-General Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Ms. Persad-Bissessar will become the first female prime minister in Trinidad and Tobago history.
Mr. Manning called the snap elections midway through his latest five-year term, after coming under constant criticism for mismanaging public funds, including spending on extravagant public buildings, and for corruption scandals.
Mr. Manning, who has served as prime minister since 2002, told supporters that he took full responsibility for Monday's losses.
The PNM has ruled energy-rich Trinidad and Tobago for most of the past 50 years.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
