A new Senate President will be elected to the Senate this morning, after Christine Kangaloo resigned yesterday from the post, which she had held since 2015.
A new Government Senator —said to be a businessman—is also expected to be sworn in this morning to fill the vacancy in numbers left by Kangaloo’s resignation.
Kangaloo’s resignation is in preparation for Friday’s election of a President. She is the Government’s nominee for the post.
Her resignation yesterday arrived ahead of Friday’s meeting of the Electoral College—comprising both the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament—where a President will be elected.
The Opposition UNC has nominated senior counsel Israel Khan.
Both Houses of Parliament had been on a Christmas break since December 16.
With Kangaloo’s resignation yesterday, the Senate resumes work this morning to deal with the new appointments following her departure. This, since Government’s full complement of 16 senators will be needed to vote in Friday’s election of a President.
Yesterday, acting Clerk of the Senate Brian Caesar issued notice that he had received a letter of resignation from Kangaloo, in accordance with section 45(4)(c) of the Constitution
“Consequently, pursuant to Standing Order 4(2)(m), an election for President of the Senate will be held at the next Sitting of the Senate Wednesday, January 18, 2023 (today) before the Senate proceeds to any other business,” Caesar added.
The OPM’s Communication Ministry also confirmed Kangaloo resigned and the Senate will, at 10 am this morning, elect a new Senate President.
Kangaloo was first elected President of the Senate in September 23, 2015, following the 2015 general election. She was again elected on August 28, 2021, following the 2020 general election.
Kangaloo’s last address to the Senate was on December 16, 2022, as she paid tribute to late senator Dr Romesh Mootto; and also, later delivered Christmas greetings.
With Kangaloo’s resignation yesterday, PNM officials said a new face may emerge to replace her as Senate President. They noted that the person who is Senate President traditionally acts as President of T&T when the incumbent head of state is overseas.
There was uncertainty yesterday whether it would be a temporary acting appointee or whether Senate Vice President Muhammad Yunus Ibrahim would be elected Senate President, or if former Senate vice president Nigel De Freitas might be. They noted Ibrahim only recently became Senate VP in March 2022.
Also: while De Freitas was Senate VP from 2015, he had been appointed a Minister in Agriculture last March. Officials said if De Freitas—an attorney—has to be elected Senate President, he would have to step down from the Agriculture post.
They also said the person who will be added to the Government’s Senate ranks to maintain its 16 Senate positions following Kangaloo’s resignation is “a businessman.”
Yesterday, UNC Senate leader Wade Mark questioned the “secrecy” of today’s Senate meeting. He said the order paper for the Senate was received on Monday but there is also a Standing Finance Committee meeting this afternoon. Mark reinforced the UNC’s opposition to Kangaloo for the post of President.
“We maintain that Government should withdraw this nomination since it’s an affront to the rule of law and the separation of power - it is not too late.”
Following today’s Senate sitting, Parliament’s Standing Finance Committee also meets at 1 pm. The SFC will focus on the Energy Ministry and moving around certain sums of money - reportedly approximately $800 million - for various purposes.
PNM, UNC statements to Electoral College
Both Government and the Opposition now have to submit to the Electoral College their statements of support for their respective nominees - Christine Kangaloo (PNM) and Israel Khan (UNC).
This can be done from today until 24 hours before Friday’s election. Both sides yesterday confirmed all paperwork is in place.
In Friday’s election, estimated to be a two-hour long process, those present - from the Lower and Upper Houses -, will have to confirm their presence individually. Nominees will be identified and signatories to their nomination will be announced.
A representative from each side will read aloud their respective statements of support for their nominee.
It is expected that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will deliver Government’s statement on Kangaloo. Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is expected to deliver the UNC’s statement on Khan. Time allotted for each statement is 15 minutes.
The election will be settled by secret ballot vote and will be passed by simple majority numbers. Government has 22 MPs and 16 Senators, the Opposition has 19 MPs and six Senators, and there are also nine Independent senators.