By Sue-Ann Wayow

PRESIDENT Christine Kangaloo has officially declared the re-opening of Parliament on May 23.

In a proclamation statement—Legal Notice 210—Kangaloo appointed the Red House, Port of Spain, to be the venue for the First Session of the Thirteenth Parliament, which will begin at 1.30 pm.

The Legal Notice signed on Monday was released by Parliament on Tuesday.

The first parliamentary session under the new government is highly anticipated as the public looks on to see who will become the next House Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Senate President and Vice President of the Senate.

All government ministers and most government senators have already been appointed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar earlier this month.

However, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles is yet to name her six opposition Senators to contend with the government’s 16. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has to name eight more government senators, two of which will be the president and vice president of the Senate.

When Parliament convenes, the United National Congress (UNC) will now sit on the Government’s side with 26 members in the House of Representatives, the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) with two seats  and the Opposition will consist of 13 People’s National Movement (PNM) members including former prime minister Stuart Young.

Young retains his seat having won the Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West constituency in the general election.

Parliament was dissolved on March 18, one day after Young became prime minister and after the general election date of April 28 was announced.