Senior Reporter
jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced that the ceremonial opening of the new session of Parliament will take place on May 23. However, she added yesterday that “the first working sitting will take place on a date to be fixed.”
The announcement follows the United National Congress’ (UNC) 26-13 victory over the People’s National Movement (PNM) in the April 28 General Election, which returned Persad-Bissessar to the helm of Government.
Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, the Prime Minister confirmed that the opening ceremony will feature an address to a joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate by President Christine Kangaloo.
“MPs to be sworn in, then speaker elected, then the President’s address then remarks by the Prime Minister and Opposition leader,” Persad-Bissessar said in a WhatsApp message.
Persad-Bissessar further noted that senators will also be sworn-in in the Senate chamber and the Senate president and vice president will also be elected.
The President’s speech is expected to outline the Government’s broad legislative and policy agenda for the upcoming term.
However, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar noted that while the ceremonial opening date is confirmed, a date for the first official sitting of the House of Representatives has not yet been finalised.
The ceremonial opening of Parliament, though symbolic in nature, holds deep constitutional significance. It represents the formal beginning of a new legislative session and reinforces the principles of parliamentary democracy.
All eyes will be on who is elected to occupy key positions in both the Lower and Upper House.
Guardian Media reached out to UNC member Wade Mark, who is tipped to be House Speaker, as well as Caroni Central MP David Lee, who is believed to be appointed Leader of government business. However, there was no response up until news time.
This year’s opening is expected to draw considerable public and media attention, as it will be Persad-Bissessar’s return to the Prime Minister’s chair after previously serving from 2010 to 2015.
More details on the President’s address and the Prime Minister’s initial agenda for the first 100 days in office are expected to be released following the ceremony.