Whilst the President is seen by many citizens as a ceremonial figure, this view is inaccurate. The President is the Head of State, Commander in Chief of the armed forces, and all executive authority of Trinidad and Tobago is vested in the President. The Office is responsible for the appointment of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, all ministers, senators (independent senators at the pleasure of the officeholder), permanent secretaries, and many key positions without which the apparatus of State would become dysfunctional.
The President receives all Cabinet notes and minutes and is meant to hold regular meetings with the prime minister to be briefed.
Since the President is a creature of statute, the officeholder can only exercise those powers vested in the office in accordance with the statutory provisions. Whilst there may be limited room for the exercise of presidential discretion, and the opportunities to do so may arise infrequently, the position ought not to be underestimated. We recall President ANR Robinson’s decision to appoint Patrick Manning as prime minister when the UNC and the PNM were deadlocked, 18-18, in the 2001 election.
The election of a new president will take place this week. It is a procedural matter of gravitas. It ought to be a consensus-building opportunity wherein all political parties agree on the nominee and by implication, accept the authority of the candidate without reservation. This election is different as it is the first time in more than two decades that a presidential election will take place without a consensus candidate.
The composition of the electoral college gives the sitting administration an advantage in the voting process and virtually guarantees that the Government’s nominee, Christine Kangaloo, will be elected and the Opposition’s candidate, Israel Khan defeated. The Opposition has declined to endorse Ms Kangaloo’s candidacy on the grounds that she was an active member of the government party and therefore could be viewed as biased in her decision-making. This argument could also apply to Mr Khan having represented the Opposition Leader in certain legal proceedings.
It is noteworthy that nothing has been said to indicate that either candidate is unsuitable in terms of qualifications and acumen. Ms Kangaloo may have an edge having acted in the position many times whilst President of the Senate. Further, there is nothing to suggest that either Ms Kangaloo or Mr Khan would not be impartial once in office. It is unfortunate that experienced parliamentarians have made loose statements based on conjecture and speculation, thereby impugning the character of these eminently qualified candidates.
What is disturbing is the unseemly political utterances of seasoned parliamentarians about “declaring war” and the equally petulant responses which threaten to diminish the Office of the President. Both the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader should learn from the example provided by Barbados. One is reminded of the late David Thompson’s arguments, then opposition leader in Barbados in 2001, against the appointment of Sir David Simmons to the position of Chief Justice after stepping down as attorney general and minister of home affairs. However, once Sir David became Chief Justice, the arguments ceased to avoid diminishing the office of Chief Justice. This is an example that both T&T parties would do well to emulate.