President Christine Kangaloo will administer the oath of office to members of the new government of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. She took her oath of office on Thurday along with John Jeremie as Attorney General.
On Thursday, Persad-Bissessar a told reporters she would be heading to the UNC’s headquarters in Chaguanas to begin discussions on forming her Cabinet.
She said, “I have to speak with each person individually and see who is the best fit.”
The prime minister also revealed that she accepted resumes from all interested candidates and spent Wednesday night reviewing them.
It is expected that not all elected Members of Parliament will be given Cabinet positions, particularly first-time MPs, some ministries are also expected to be renamed.
Dr Michael Dowlath is expected to be appointed Minister of Education in the new Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration.
Dowlath, a retired educator and the newly elected Member of Parliament for San Fernando West, is seen as a strong contender for the post, given his background in the education sector.
There is also speculation that Roger Alexander, MP for Tunapuna and former senior superintendent of police, may head the Ministry of Home Affairs. The ministry is expected to be created separately from the traditional Ministry of National Security.
While the appointments have not been officially confirmed, they are among the most anticipated ahead of the Cabinet swearing-in this afternoon.
Persad-Bissessar can choose members of her government from her 25 other MPs and she also has to appoint 16 government senators, two of whom have to be president and vice-president of the Senate.
In addition to ministers, she can also appoint junior ministers and parliamentary secretaries. But all ministers must be members of Parliament, either elected to the Lower House or nominated to the Upper House.
Check AZP News social pages for live updates of the swearing-in ceremony from 4 pm.
