Stuart Young, newly appointed Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, has called for elections to be held on April 28, following his swearing-in. This decision follows the resignation of former Prime Minister Keith Rowley. The opposition United National Congress is poised to contest the elections, despite questioning the legality of Young’s ascension to power.
Stuart Young has officially assumed the role of Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and is advocating for new elections. On Tuesday, the Office of the Prime Minister declared that Young advised President Christine Kangaloo to dissolve Parliament effective at midnight, with elections slated for April 28, and nomination day on April 4. This action comes just one day after Young’s swearing-in as the nation’s eighth prime minister.
The transition of power was precipitated by the resignation of longtime Prime Minister Keith Rowley, who governed for nearly a decade. Rowley, ex-leader of the People’s National Movement, announced his resignation in January and appointed Young, who previously served as Minister of Energy, as his successor.
Young’s call for elections seeks to establish his own mandate amid concerns over international policies affecting Trinidad and Tobago. The opposition, United National Congress (UNC), led by former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has struggled to respond effectively and labeled Young’s ascension as illegal and unconstitutional. After Young’s announcement, Persad-Bissessar affirmed her party’s readiness for the upcoming elections.
Former Prime Minister Rowley, in his final rally, urged discontented UNC members to switch parties and criticized the opposition for celebrating a decision by the British government to implement visa requirements for Trinidadians. Rowley emphasized that this demonstrated the necessity for Trinidad to sever ties with the Privy Council as its highest court.
Amid challenges such as rising violence, the COVID-19 pandemic, and migration issues from Venezuela, Rowley expressed gratitude to supporters during the rally. Regional leaders from CARICOM have applauded his leadership on matters of security and crime.
At Young’s swearing-in, he retained his position as Minister of Energy while introducing changes to the cabinet, nominating former Housing Minister Camille Robinson-Regis as the new Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs.
In summary, Stuart Young’s swift call for elections following his appointment as Prime Minister is a critical step in his governance. The dissolution of Parliament sets the stage for elections on April 28, as he seeks to solidify his authority amidst opposition concerns. Former Prime Minister Rowley’s departure marks a significant political shift, with challenges such as security and regional relations remaining at the forefront.
Original Source: www.miamiherald.com
