By Prior Beharry
PRESIDENT-Elect Christine Kangaloo says she is humbled and grateful to the Electoral College for voting for her to be Trinidad and Tobago’s seventh president.
In a release after her election on Friday, she said: “ I am humbled by my election to the Office of President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. I am grateful to everyone who participated in the electoral process, and to Mr Israel Khan SC in particular, who graciously offered himself to serve. I wish him the very best as he continues serving Trinidad and Tobago.
“I am also grateful for the healthy public discourse that has taken place about the Office of the President, and the characteristics our citizens feel should be demonstrated by persons who aspire to hold the Office. Having heard all the concerns, I commit myself to discharging the duties of the Office of the President in a manner that will put those concerns to rest.
“For propriety, I propose to defer my first interaction with the media until after I have been presented with my formal Instrument of Election.
“For now, I express my gratitude to the media for facilitating so effectively, the public discourse that has taken place. Now that the election is over, I look forward to serving our country in the only way I know how—with love for all and with an unwavering belief in the innate goodness of our people.”
Government says congratulations
And a release from the Office of the Prime Minister also offered congratulations.
It stated, “The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to extend its congratulations to the newly elected 7th President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Kangaloo. Our country’s 2nd female President was successfully elected during this afternoon’s convening of the Electoral College.
“President-elect Kangaloo received the majority of votes and will officially become Trinidad and Tobago’s Head of State at her swearing in on March 21, 2023.
“President-elect Kangaloo’s life in Public Service began in 2001 as an Opposition Senator in the 6th Republican Parliament and has included service as a Government Senator, a Minister of Government, a Member of Parliament for Point-a-Pierre and as both Vice President and President of the Senate, having the distinct honour of being the first person to serve in both those leadership roles in the Trinidad and Tobago Senate.
“As a member of the legal fraternity, President-elect Kangaloo has also held the office of Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as, Secretary, and then, Vice President of the Assembly of Southern Lawyers.”
PNM Women’s League – Spirit of Excellence
The National Women’s League of the People’s National Movement stated that Kangaloo’s wealth of experience in her professional life and leadership roles will contribute to her assured success during her term.
It stated, “This spirit of excellence was evident in her recent stellar stint as President of the Senate as well as the occasions when she acted as President of our twin-island republic.
“The League notes that this is the second woman to hold this distinguished office in our country and we are happy to boast that under good PNM governance, the women in our country have always played and will continue to play a pivotal role in decision making in our society. As such, we take great pride in the fact that the Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley, continues to assist in helping women shatter the ‘glass ceiling’, thus ensuring a future of equity and equality for young women in Trinidad and Tobago.
“The League wishes Ms. Kangaloo great success during her tenure.”
