Accepting that the nomination of Christine Kangaloo as this country’s next President is allowed under the Constitution, Opposition Leader Kamla-Persad Bissessar says the UNC never had a question about legality, but rather Ms Kangaloo’s ability to act independently in the office. 

“This concern is not based simply on the fact that Kangaloo is an active politician and former PNM Minister and Senator. It is based on her actions…” the Opposition leader listed in a statement on Monday.

She added: “I remind the nation that it was the acting President, Christine Kangaloo, who signed a termination letter to unlawfully dismiss the then Central Bank Governor. It was the High Court that subsequently declared the Acting President’s action unlawful. The PM’s words today confirm that Kangaloo did so on the instructions of the Rowley cabinet. This is evidence that Kangaloo is more than willing to ignore the rule of law and the good of the citizens of our nation in favour of the unlawful instructions from her PNM masters. “

Persad-Bissessar again questioned whether Kangaloo would be influenced by the PNM in carrying out her duties as President.

“As President, Kangaloo will be able to appoint the Chief Justice, members of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, members of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and several other Commissions among many others and, surely the issue is whether she would make such appointments impartially or on the instructions of her PNM masters,” she added.

The Opposition on Monday filed the nomination papers for Mr. Israel Khan S.C. to be a nominee for President.