Lennox Linton has reportedly been sworn in as opposition leader. He was allegedly sworn in before President Charles Savarin at the State House on February 7. But Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan said this is not true and cannot be true.
The parliamentary representative for Marigot constituency and a UWP stalwart reportedly swore to “faithfully” serve as the Opposition Leader without fear or favour, and “solemnly” vowed to “honour, uphold and preserve” the constitution of Dominica without affection or ill-will.
The UWP leader was sworn in as opposition leader on September 1, 2013 in Castle Bruce and has served two terms in office. The UWP lost the 2019 general elections to the DLP on December 6 in a landslide loss of 3-18.
Astaphan however contends that Linton has not been sworn in again as UWP opposition leader, stating that his position became vacant when the House was dissolved before the December 6 election.
“The Constitution makes express provision for the fact that once the House is dissolved…every seat in the Parliament is vacated,” Astaphan said. “Members are no longer members of the House of Parliament or Senators and he is no longer the leader of the opposition.”
The senior counsel stated that Section 66 of the Constitution provides that the opposition leader can only be appointed by the president and that this is yet to happen to his full knowledge.
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