Prime Minister-elect Dr Keith Rowley will be sworn in as Prime Minister at 1.30 pm today at Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain, and the Attorney General of the new PNM government will also be sworn in.
The Attorney General will be an elected Member of Parliament, according to signals from the leadership on Monday.
PNM officials said three incoming MPs qualify as AG since they are attorneys — PNM San Fernando West candidate Faris Al-Rawi (who is also PNM’s PRO), Port-of-Spain North MP Stuart Young and Port of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald. The latter, PNM’s deputy leader, was Opposition Whip in the last parliamentary term.
Tobago-born Rowley, the PNM’s fourth leader and T&T’s seventh Prime Minister, is expected to take the oath of office before a large audience following Monday night’s general election victory.
Rowley, 65, returned the PNM to Government following five years in Opposition over 2010 to 2015 when the Peoples’ Partnership was in office.
The PNM took 23 of T&T’s 41 constituencies while the PP obtained 18.
Rowley met yesterday with President Anthony Carmona at mid- morning to discuss, among other things, today’s swearing-in ceremony, a statement from President’s House confirmed.
President’s House also stated that Carmona telephoned Rowley close to midnight on Monday, after hearing his victory speech and the concession speech by then PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, to congratulate him on his victory.
According to the statement, Carmona told Rowley his victory address to his supporters and by extension to T&T was that of a true statesman and further complimented Rowley “for an address whose motif was one of genuine inclusivity to all, highlighting in laudable terms service to country and that we, the people of T&T, are one.”
President’s House added: “His Excellency shares with Prime Minister-elect Dr Rowley, as expressed by him during his address, his unabiding faith in the potential of our young people and the need to make of them genuine patriots of this republic.”
Officials said Queen’s Hall was being used for the swearing in since President’s House was not available, nor is the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) where some ceremonies had been held. NAPA has been closed for repairs.
Yesterday meetings were also held by the PNM regarding arrangements in other areas.
During the campaign, Rowley had signalled he would have a smaller Cabinet of possibly 18 to 20 members maximum, rather than the PP’s 30 members.
He also said Local Government Ministry would be merged with Finance. He said Local Government powers would be under local regional corporations in the Tobago House of Assembly model.
In an April 27 report he had pledged major reforms, including making the role of MP a full-time job, creating a new post whose office holder would monitor and report on MPs’ behaviour and strengthening oversight of government spending.
Rowley had also said fewer MPs would be in the Cabinet to form the executive. He had said the Ministries of Tobago Affairs and Local Government were not necessary.
During the PNM’s Arima meeting Rowley had announced Arima candidate, now incoming MP Anthony Garcia, would be Education Minister in a new PNM Government.
At another meeting he had also hinted Mayaro candidate Clarence Rambharath would be good in the Agriculture Ministry.
Rambharath had said during the campaign he would return to Canada if he did not win the seat.
He didn’t win on Monday. Calls to his cellphone went unanswered yesterday. PNM sources said Rambharath would likely be given a position despite his defeat since he was “an asset.”
PNM officials yesterday speculated the Cabinet might comprise about nine or ten MPs and other appointed people. This could leave about 13 or so MPs outside of the Cabinet.
Rowley also has to select 16 government senators from whom will come a Senate President.
A House Speaker also has to be selected since Rowley said the Government’s first priorities would involve returning to Parliament — for the first session of the 11th Parliament — and presenting the 2016 budget.