President Savarin’s Tenure Ends on Oct 1; Speaks on 60 Years of Public Service

Barbara 6th February, 2023

0 2,845

The Dominican President, Charles Savarin, revealed at parliament that his tenure as president ends on October 1, 2023. Savarin is the 8th president of Dominica and is currently serving his second five-year term. He promised to hand over to the next elected president when his time is up. He added that he will surrender the presidency and the official residence of the president to the next president without hassles.

“My second five-year term comes to an end on October 1 of this year,” he said. “Until then I will continue to discharge the functions of president. I commit to my successor that the office and the official residence of the president will make the necessary arrangements to ensure the smoothest possible transition.”

Speaking to members of the House of Assembly at the 11th Parliament on Tuesday, Savarin said it has been a great honour to serve the Dominican people for 60 years. He said he began serving the people when he was at the Dominica Grammar School and in various capacities until he became president.

“It has been the honour of my life to serve the people of Dominica as president,” he stated. “Sixty years of public service – as an assistant master at the Dominica Grammar School, a trade unionist, senator, government minister, ambassador, manager of the National Development Corporation, elected member of the Roseau Central Constituency, minister of government once again, and then as president.”

He particularly thanked members of parliament for working assiduously to create laws that would make Dominica a safe and prosperous nation. He said “parliament is the supreme legislative body where matters affecting governance and affairs of state are deliberated upon and voted into law.” He also appreciated the Speaker of the House, Isaac Joseph, for working with the opposition to make the country a diversified nation. The president then tasked the six members of the opposition and the nine first-time pro-government lawmakers to familiarize themselves with the standing orders and other engagement protocols of parliament for fruitful deliberations. He said they must put on their best behaviours when engaging with others in the House and to respect the rulings of the Speaker as binding.