Caption: Kamla Persad-Bissessar takes the oath of office as prime minister with the Constitution under the watchful eyes of President Christine Kangaloo
‘…I didn’t want to choose one holy book over another because we are equal in the eyes of God.’ – Kamla Persad-Bissessar
By Alicia Chamely
PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar became the first Prime Minister to take the oath of office over the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago.
Persad-Bissessar was sworn into office on Thursday as the ninth Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at a ceremony held at the President’s House, along with John Jeremie as attorney general. The ceremony was officiated by President Christine Kangaloo.
This was the second time Persad-Bissessar has been sworn in as Prime Minister. She was sworn in as PM in 2010, a position she served until her government was voted out of office in 2015.
Breaking custom, Persad-Bissessar took her oath of office with her hand on a copy of the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago rather than over a religious text, which has been a tradition for past leaders.
Speaking with the media after her swearing-in ceremony, she said, “We say here every creed and race finds an equal place, and I didn’t want to choose one holy book over another because we are equal in the eyes of God. So, I took the oath on the Constitution rather than one holy book because all the holy books, all of us, it’s just one God.”
She explained she chose the Constitution because that is what she has promised to uphold in her upcoming term of service.
Persad-Bissessar said while this had not been done in T&T before, it is practised in other nations and is legal under the law.
Asked what influenced her decision to choose John Jeremie as AG, she said, “I think he is a brilliant person and very down to earth at the same time. I think he will make an excellent AG.”
Jeremie’s appointment has drawn some criticism with detractors accusing Jeremie of using his position as AG under the then People’s National Movement government to unjustly attack the UNC.
Jeremie served as AG twice under Patrick Manning led PNM Governments. His first term was from 2003 to 2007 and second from 2009-2010.
This would be his third time being sworn in as AG.
