Trinidad opposition in Parliament bid to remove President
(Trinidad Express) - Paula-Mae Weekes created history in becoming this country’s first female President in 2018. And now a historic move has been made to remove her from office. Opposition Leader Kamla PersadBissessar yesterday acknowledged that this move stands to be defeated in the Parliament but emphasised that this is the only recourse at this time in interest of the public as one cannot “lock up” or “ill speak” the President.
Speaking at a news conference at the Opposition Leader’s Port of Spain office, Persad-Bissessar said a motion signed by all 19 Opposition MPs was filed in the Parliament on Thursday pursuant to
Section 36 of the Constitution for the establishment of a tribunal to investigate the removal of President Weekes in respect of the imbroglio surrounding the collapse of the Police Service Commission.
She said this would ensure that the country would have a President who is open to scrutiny, adding this is called an “impeachment” in other jurisdictions.
Persad-Bissessar noted that the President is elected by members of a combined House and Senate and likewise, proceedings to remove a President must be initiated by at least two thirds of the vote of a combined House and Senate.
Having already filed the motion, she explained that the next step will be for the Speaker to have a joint sitting and the motion will be debated.
Persad-Bissessar said the “burning question” would be whether the MPs and senators, including the Independent senators, would hold the President to account.
She said if the motion is passed, a special Tribunal will investigate the facts and report back to the Parliament, who will then decide on those findings.
Why bother?
Persad-Bissessar said people have said why bother as this motion will fail but she said it must be done in a bid to get answers as she noted that the motion is stronger than any other motion on the Standing Orders.
She added that when the debate takes place she will call for the whips to be removed on the Opposition and Government benches to allow members to vote in accordance with their conscience.
She said when the motion is debated, all members of the Parliament will have an opportunity to demonstrate that they stand for public accountability, due process and that they care for the Rule of Law.