Balisier House Must be Kept Separately from President’s House

Prime Minister Rowley has again disappointed the nation, with his selection of Senator Christine Kangaloo as his personally recruited Presidential nominee. The Office of President is the highest office of the land, charged with many functions which should be executed in an independent manner free from political influence or pressure.

It is difficult to comprehend whether President Christine Kangaloo would execute her functions in an independent manner, having preached on a PNM political pulpit beseeching the nation to spread the gospel of the PNM.

The President has the power to make appointments to many independent institutions, such as the appointment of judicial officers, the Elections and Boundaries Commission, Service Commissions and the appointment of 9 independent senators.

Would an officious bystander be satisfied that President Kangaloo would make these appointments independently having been elevated through the ranks of the Balisier House?

Balisier House must be kept separately from President’s House.

These appointments require an individual who is fiercely independent, impartial, and unifying since they impact upon the fundamental rights of citizens. Polluting these independent institutions with political operatives would further erode our democracy.

We call on the Prime Minister to immediately withdraw his nomination of Christine Kangaloo for the position of President of our nation. A candidate should have been presented to restore the increasingly weakening threads of trust our citizenry has in public office holders.

But then again, asking Keith Rowley to put forward a unifying and independent candidate might be too much to ask of him.