michaelhalkitis

Just weeks into the Davis administration’s second term, Finance Minister Michael Halkitis has become the center of the government’s first major battle.

The Free National Movement continues to demand his resignation over his affiliation as president with Top Notch Builders, a company linked to convicted drug trafficker Jonathan Gardiner.

Yet despite the growing political pressure, there appears to be little indication that either Prime Minister Philip Davis or the Progressive Liberal Party intends to sacrifice one of its most senior ministers.

Unlike many Cabinet ministers, Halkitis occupies one of the most critical positions in government. He is now responsible for managing the country’s finances, preparing the national budget, overseeing fiscal policy and helping shape the government’s economic agenda during public expectations following the election.

His appointment itself shows trust by Davis who has relinquished direct control of the Ministry of Finance and handed it to Halkitis.

Removing him now would force the government to explain why a newly appointed finance minister was unable to remain in office only weeks after taking the post. It could create uncertainty around the administration’s economic team and the PLP would hate to hand the Opposition its first major political victory of the new term.

His removal will trigger new questions about Davis administration’s like: what did the government know, when did it know it, why was he appointed Finance Minister?

But keeping Halkitis is risky. The longer the controversy remains in the headlines, the more the issue is seen as a test of Davis administration’s accountability.

Every protest, parliamentary debate, public statement and headline keeps the matter alive and increase pressure on the government.

And it further damages public trust. For many Bahamians it becomes whether or not leaders are meeting the highest ethical standards.

For the PLP, standing by Halkitis may be less damaging than removing him. He may have become so central to the government’s economic and political agenda that Davis simply cannot afford to let him go.

As calls for his resignation intensified last week, Finance Minister Michael Halkitis turned to biblical scriptures.

In a Facebook post, Halkitis shared a photograph of himself with a raised fist and referenced Psalm 109, writing: “Not every attack deserves a response. Some battles belong to God alone.”

At first glance, the post appeared deeply spiritual.

Halkitis had just spent the previous day defending his involvement with Top Notch Builders, a company now under intense public scrutiny because of its links to Jonathan “Player” Gardiner, a convicted drug trafficker who spent time in US jail, and arrested by US authorities after a plane crashed in waters off Florida on May 12.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard was demanding his resignation, while social media was filled with debate over conflict of interest allegations and questions of political accountability.

Rather than continuing to argue facts, Halkitis shifted the conversation by invoking scripture. He appears to be trying to move himself beyond the political battle.

The message is directed at supporters of the Progressive Liberal Party.

Many Bahamians are people of faith and references to God, perseverance and spiritual strength often resonate with them. The social media post invites supporters to view him as a politician under pressure and someone enduring criticism while placing his trust in God.

The Bahamas remains one of the most religious countries in the world, one can argue. Churches are deeply woven into our national life, pastors hold influence in communities and politics, political rallies often begin with prayer and Parliament itself opens with prayer.

Unlike some countries where religion and politics exist separately, in the Bahamas, faith and politics intersect.

This explains why politicians like Halkitis often use scripture when embroiled in controversy.

Whether that strategy works is another question.

But critics sometimes view religious references as an attempt to redirect attention from difficult questions.

A Bible verse may inspire supporters, but it does not answer concerns about governance, accountability or public policy.

The Opposition has already made it clear that it intends to keep the issue alive.

Michael Halkitis — newly appointed as Finance Minister in the Davis administration’s second term — now finds himself at the center of a widening political storm tied to one of the most explosive stories currently unfolding in the country.

Jonathan Eric “Player” Gardiner, the Bahamian man arrested by United States authorities after surviving an Election Day plane crash off the Florida coast, has already become wrapped in controversy. Federal investigators allege Gardiner was connected to an international drug trafficking conspiracy. Authorities reportedly recovered approximately $30,000 in cash from the crash scene.

Then came the latest revelations connecting Gardiner to Top Notch Builders, a company that had secured millions in government contracts.

Now the spotlight has shifted toward Halkitis.

The finance minister insists he never held ownership stakes in the company. Instead, he describes his involvement as professional and temporary, with consulting work carried out in 2019 while operating as a private citizen involved in financial and corporate services advising.

According to Halkitis, he assisted the company with governance structures before operations slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He says he resigned as director in 2021.

But Opposition Leader Michael Pintard is arguing that Halkitis is minimizing the extent of his role. The FNM claims Halkitis served as president of the company, which suggests deeper operational involvement.

And documents show Halkitis was the President of Top Notch Builders.

This story is now centred on Halkitis’ poor judgment, lack of disclosure, proximity to Gardiner’s company, and a conflict of interest, since he served as a minister in the Christie and Davis administrations.

The controversy becomes even more uncomfortable because Top Notch Builders and related entities reportedly benefited from major housing contracts during the PLP administrations, periods in which Halkitis served in Cabinet.

Finance ministers are representatives of national credibility.

Pintard repeatedly emphasized that Halkitis is not only a politician, but also a financial professional familiar with due diligence systems and anti-money laundering concerns, suggesting that Halkitis, with that background, should have recognized the reputational risks associated with the company and the individuals connected to it.

Now the FNM is calling for him to resign.

The race in St Barnabas has narrowed.

After Coalition of Independents hopeful Valentino McKenzie announced he is stepping aside, the contest, at least for now, appears to be between Michael Halkitis of the Progressive Liberal Party and Jamal Moss, the Free National Movement’s standard bearer.

McKenzie said it was an honour to walk the journey with the residents, but confirmed he would no longer be contesting the seat. It remains unclear whether the COI will ratify a replacement candidate.

St Barnabas is no stranger to tight races.

In 2021, Halkitis contested the constituency but lost to FNM candidate Shanendon Cartwright by just 111 votes — one of the narrowest margins in that election. Cartwright has since been ratified to contest St James, leaving St Barnabas without its incumbent MP.

For Halkitis, this is another chapter in a political career marked by both wins and losses. He won Golden Isles in 2012, lost it in 2017, and then fell short again in St Barnabas in 2021. Now, he remains in the constituency seeking redemption.

Moss, a former FNM senator, enters the race as a frontline candidate for the first time in this seat. While not new to politics, he is new to campaigning in St Barnabas as the party’s standard bearer.

The constituency itself faces persistent social and economic challenges.

With the third-party candidate out, for now, the dynamics could shift. If it remains a straight PLP-FNM contest, St Barnabas may once again come down to turnout and ground campaign.

And if 2021 is any guide, every vote will matter.

Eight members of the Cabinet were sworn in on Monday afternoon to serve as ministers in the Davis-led administration.

Prime Minister Philip Davis said they will “deliver the party’s promise of a new day.”

1. Fred Mitchell–Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is an outspoken member of the PLP and was party chairman. He served in the Perry Christie administration in the same position in 2012. When the PLP lost in 2017, he lost his seat but was appointed PLP senator.
2. Glennys Hanna-Martin–Minister of Education and Vocational Training. She has been a longtime member of the PLP, having served in the Christie administration in 2012 as Minister of Transport and Aviation. The party lost in 2017, but she retained her seat and was one of four PLPs who returned to the Parliament as the opposition.
3. Michael Darville–Minister of Health. He was the MP for Pineridge and Minister of Grand Bahama in 2012 in the Christie administration. When his party lost, he became a PLP senator.
4. Michael Halkitis–Minister of Economic Affairs and Leader of Government Business in the Senate. He lost to the FNM in the 2021 election. He served in the Christie administration as the Minister of State for Finance in 2012.
5. Clay Sweeting–Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs. He ran against FNM MP Ricky Martin in 2017 and lost. The fisherman was then appointed a PLP senator in the Upper Chamber.
6. Alfred Sears–Minister of Works and Utilities. He was the Member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte from 2000 to 2012 and served in the Christie administration. He lost his seat to the FNM in 2017. He once served as Minister of Education and as Attorney General in the Christie administration.
7. Wayne Munroe–Minister of National Security. He is a prominent lawyer. He ran in 2017 for the PLP but lost to the FNM. He was also a former DNA member.
8. Jomo Campbell–Minister of State for Legal Affairs. He is new to politics and is believed to be a lawyer in Wayne Munroe’s office.

Davis said his Cabinet “will move with urgency, that this moment requires.”

Governor-General C.A Smith asked that the country “set aside differences until next five years.” He added, “Don’t worry about tomorrow. Let’s unite and together make a better Bahamas.”