Skerrit to Consult With Jesma Paul-Victor over the New President of Dominica

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit revealed that the second five-year term of President Charles Savarin ends on October 1, 2023. He said the DLP administration has a nominee that they want to put forward for the position of Dominica’s president. He said he will meet with opposition leader Jesma Paul-Victor in June to finalize on a consensus candidate as the next president.

Skerrit said several people were nominated to replace outgoing President Savarin – who is the eight president of Dominica – but that his administration has picked the most suitable candidate. He said he is not at liberty to announce the name of the anointed candidate until he has deliberated with the opposition leader as per constitutional requirements.

I will have – as Prime Minister, as per the constitution – I will have consultations with the Leader of the Opposition in the month of June on the government’s nominee for President. If she doesn’t agree with my nominee and she has somebody she nominates, then the constitution prescribes the process of electing a President.

Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica

Skerrit emphasized that he is not aware if the opposition has their own nominee for the position of president. He said he will deliberate with her to find out. He said that if it turns out that the opposition does not have a nominee and that they agree with the government’s nominee, then the name of the candidate will be announced.

He added that if Paul-Victor does not agree with the administration’s nominee but proposes another candidate, then the process laid out in the constitution for appointing or electing a president will be followed. He said it is important that the entire country agree on the most qualified candidate for the presidency.

According to him, all Dominicans will be pleased with the nominee when his name is announced to the public after all due consultations are completed.

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