Charles Savarin elected President of Dominica despite opposition objections

Charles Savarin at the opening of Independence/Reunion 2018 on the weekend

In an unsurprising move, Charles Angelo Savarin was elected as the next President of Dominica despite strong objections from the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP)  over the constitutionality of the Parliamentary meeting convened on Monday to elect him.

The UWP had suggested that the meeting was a violation of section 19 (4) of the Constitution which it says, “only provides for such meeting after the expiration of the 14 day period allowed for nomination of candidates.”

“Pursuant to section 19 (3) of the Constitution, you informed members of the House on Thursday September 20th, 2018 that the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition were unable to agree on the joint nomination of a candidate for election as President,” the UWP stated in a letter to the Speaker which was made available to DNO.

According to the UWP, Section 19 (4) of the Constitution reads:

“The Prime Minister or the Leader of the Opposition or any three members of the House may, during the period expiring fourteen days after the day on which the House has been so informed, submit to the Speaker by writing under their hands nominations of candidates for election as President and the Speaker shall at the first meeting of the House after the expiration of that period and before the House proceeds to any other business inform the House of the nominations he has received and to which the candidates have consented,” the letter said. “This provision means that the nomination period began on Friday September 21st, 2018 and ends on Thursday October 4th, 2018. Therefore a sitting for the purpose of the election of President can only take place after the expiration of this period.”

By law, a President is nominated by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition and elected by the House of Assembly.

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit had said earlier the government has written and taken all the steps to nominate Savarin as its nominee for consideration by the Parliament but there was no joint nominee by him as Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Lennox Linton.

“I wrote to the Leader of the Opposition on August 3rd, 2018, indicating to him the interest of the government to nominate Mr. Charles Savarin and seeking his concurrence,” Skerrit stated. “He responded to say that give him 15 more days again, two weeks, as he will need to go across the country soliciting ideas and names and suggestions but he never got back to me.”

He said the government is proceeding to parliament, since there is no joint nominee, to elect Savarin again as the next President of Dominica.

Savarin will be sworn in tomorrow at the Goodwill Parish Hall.

Opposition members walked out of the House just before the election.

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35 Comments

  1. Condom
    October 2, 2018

    Mr. President what happened to you madras tie? Is this your way of telling us you don’t give a hoot?

  2. Karl Orndem
    October 2, 2018

    how can you oppose with no suggestions and alternatives? i agree no to charlo, but who is your replacement? noone? ok so lets use charlo, he there already. end of story.

  3. Liz M
    October 2, 2018

    Cushy job eh,,,,well until trouble break out and one has to mediate there’s really nothing to do but attend parties, be quiet and stay still. How much does that job pay na? I hear 10k, I hear 30k monthly?? Woosh, does IMF know that so they can make it part of current osterity (pardon my Frenche) measures ?

  4. onlooker
    October 2, 2018

    If Lennox had nominate a candidate for President, would it have prevented Charles Savarin from being elected?

    Mr. Savarin when you sit in the white house and sipping tea, do you think of how you became President? Was it the correct way? Are you truly happy and performing your duty as President fairly with no favor and using the Constitution and Integrity as your guide?

  5. Truth Be Told
    October 2, 2018

    “I wrote to the Leader of the Opposition on August 3rd, 2018, indicating to him the interest of the government to nominate Mr. Charles Savarin and seeking his concurrence,” Skerrit stated. “He responded to say that give him 15 more days again, two weeks, as he will need to go across the country soliciting ideas and names and suggestions but he never got back to me.”
    Seriously, I am very curious about the above and would like to hear from the Opposition as to whether this is true? If they say it is not true then I would ask the PM to show me the said letter. And this is where the case lies. If the Opposition did receive this letter, then I want to know why you have not responded. The credibility of this argument actually rests on this letter.

  6. Zammm
    October 2, 2018

    When will Dominicans wise up n rise up against such foolishness takin place in the country. After Charles Saverin, was on the battlefield and very anti Labour, now the freedom man is president. Its just Skerritt’s way of saying thank you Saverin for being a toothless lion… In reality, Saverin for president for a second time is comical. Just enjoying the perks n freeness. Charles Saverin is not on the side of poor folks…. He is big shot

  7. Concerned Youth
    October 2, 2018

    So if there is a Date as per the “constitution,” what gives the government (one that is not totalitarian btw) the power to change that date ?hmm… Also why didnt the opposition leader not submit a nominee ? faults on both sides it seems

  8. Someone with common sense
    October 1, 2018

    So no one saw the part where the prime minister wrote to Lennox on August 3rd and he never responded. There’s a reason why Lennox never mentioned about the letter he received. He know very well that he had no nominee, he should accept that and done , but instead he want to create propaganda.

    • viewsexpressed
      October 2, 2018

      Someone with common-sense (lol), You go read again and comprehend the response from Hon Linton, before you blindly jump to conclusions. There is no reason why any Opposition Leader should not consult the people at least that he is transparent and not just voting for someone at that level because the sitting government says so. Hon Linton and the UWP Team have that right to request some time to consult the public out there., because the President represents all of Domininca and Dominicans and not the sitting corrupt Labour Government nor the Opposition.
      Skerrit needs training in decency, transparency and accounatabity. Skerrit is a failed Prime Minister. It was the same Savarin who campaigned with a double “LL” friend of Savarin that under no circumstances that Skerrit should become Prime Minister upon the death of Bro Pierre Charles. Charlo wanted to be nominated as such. No one, even his Freedom Party wanted Charles Savarin as Prime Minister, much less to nominate him.

  9. Ibo France
    October 1, 2018

    I realize that many are calling on the Opposition to take the appointment of Mr. Savarin to court on questions of constitutionality of the timing. This is easier said than done. Lawyers cost lots of money and if the case is lost, even on some kind of technicality, the plaintiffs have to pay the fees of the attorneys for the government. Sorry, not even the courts are that reliable these days. This Skerrit-led regime is stubbornly prepared to retain power by any means necessary. The economy, national security, infrastructural developments and health care are considered secondary concerns to Skerrit and his minions. The only issue that matters most dearly is to cling on to power. There are just too many corrupt bodies to unearth.

    • viewsexpressed
      October 2, 2018

      Thank you Ibo well said, well put together. Thanks.

  10. anonymous2
    October 1, 2018

    Again? This guy never retires. Skerritt’s rotation policy. When will it end.

  11. Kouno momo
    October 1, 2018

    They still owe him ?

  12. Missy white
    October 1, 2018

    Usual question…how much money mister getting at the end of
    the month…hospital services is a strugle..cleaning Roseau struggle..
    Country broke smiling charlo getting 10 000 00 a month…wicked..
    Hope d other party consider changes

  13. viewsexpressed
    October 1, 2018

    It is wort remembering that Charles Angelo Savarin boycotted the swearing in ceremony of President. Vernon L Shaw held at the State House in 1998 ( the year subject to correction). Remember also that Mr Shaw was Not elected at gunpoint as Savarin was on two occasions.

    What hypocrisy that goes on within this corrupt Labour Government. I was advised that this current President Savarin, during the government downfall then that he was part off, advocated that Skerrit should not be Prime Minister upon the death of Pierre Charles. Savarin wanted to be Prime Minister. He and his close boom boom fly friend Double “L” kept on calling at the very last minute that He savarin is the better candidate and he Savarin picked up his papers and ran to Morne Bruce when he heard Skerrit was being sworn in, just to show his hypocritic face. look where he is now. Disgusting affairs by strange bed fellows.
    Skerrit and Savarin must Go

  14. Ibo France
    October 1, 2018

    This is truly an exercise in futility. That’s it!

  15. ?????????
    October 1, 2018

    Congratulations Mr. Charles Savarin

    • Flobert
      November 13, 2019

      Why is the the 1.2 billions is not being mention and action taken

  16. Real!!!!
    October 1, 2018

    I get the feeling when the Opposition oppose something the folks believe it is always for them.

    But people it is for the citizens of this country.

    Therefore the citizens should come out and demand the constitution be respected and followed even if the party in power has the majority in parliament. Because tomorrow when the same party in power have the minority they will push aside the constitution that is needed to protect the people of Dominica.

    Be GUARDED my people!!!!

  17. Paul Rossnof
    October 1, 2018

    What a farce!!! This regime makes fools out of the citizens of this country.

  18. Ti Garcon
    October 1, 2018

    The opposition is wasting time and energy in nonsense causes. So the day the constitution stipulates in Oct 4, but the Govt is pushing up Oct 1, boo ho. Did the opposition provide an alternative candidate? Why waste energy on something that’s eventually going to happen?

    They are spending too much time on lost causes that don’t relate to the plights of the common man. At the last parliamentary debate, the govt in its supplementary estimates, awarded First Domestic a $5 million GRANT! Is the govt now the bank- is it now openly competing with the banks? So much work is needed in housing, roads and infrastructural repair, was that the best use of local funds? First Domestic owns land in Roseau worth millions of dollars, why couldn’t they go to the banks or sell it to cover their debts? These are real issues we should be discussing, but UWP is expending energy on what date is the right date to vote for President.

    Keep it up and no one will expend energy on UWP.

    • No Brainer
      October 1, 2018

      So the day the constitution stipulates in Oct 4, but the Govt is pushing up Oct 1, boo ho

      That’s where the problem begins and ends. If the constitution provides this date,then the government cannot change it. Plain and simple. End of story.

    • Tony
      October 1, 2018

      To: Ti Garcon

      Hello and good afternoon my people. Hi in your own article you are acknowledging that the President was elected outside of the guidelines stipulated in our constitution. We all must respect what’s stipulated in our constitution and our Penal Code regardless of your political affiliation. I don’t reside ,Vote or belong to any political party in Dominica but we all must respect our constitution and laws.

      • Ti Garcon
        October 1, 2018

        Well Skerrit said he wrote Lennox on August 3rd, Lennox asked for two weeks so that would take it to August 18th. Making August 18th the date where there was no joint agreement on President.

        Therefore, This provision means that the nomination period began on Friday August 17th, 2018 and ended on August 31st, 2018. Parliament convened a month later. So its within the law, and if its taken up in court that would be the defense. And the defense would win, granted Skerrit can show proof of “I wrote to the Leader of the Opposition on August 3rd, 2018, indicating to him the interest of the government to nominate Mr. Charles Savarin and seeking his concurrence,”

        Is Lennox a lawyer? So why waste energy on this, quoting laws as if he knows everything, who is advising the UWP? Do they have advisers, or do they think everyone is dumb and will follow them blindly? What is the point of this- they didn’t get enough time to find a nominee?

    • %
      October 1, 2018

      Did you read over what you wrote?So you are agreeing that it OK to violste the constitution?OMG…..What a people we have on island. thanks

  19. Ras
    October 1, 2018

    If Mr Linton is really serious he will challenge the constitutionality of Mr Savarin’s election in the court. If he doesn’t then we will have to question his credibility

    • STRAY
      October 1, 2018

      Uum u wanna question Lintons credibility idiot? Why don’t u check the constitution to verify??
      U people just a bunch of fools…stupid people smh smh..and another idiot gave u a thumbs up

    • %
      October 1, 2018

      Which “we”? Don’t include me in your support of actions which violates the constitution? You can support all those egregious acts which are committed against the country’s supreme law,but level headed ones will continue to denounce it and see this DLP led by Skerrit as a rogue regime.
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

      • KID ON THE BLOCK
        October 1, 2018

        5 More years for Skerro. Long live Skerrit.

      • ???????????
        October 1, 2018

        % really! Why not leave the politics behind and be objctive! Did u nominate someone? I challenge you to submit a name here instead of your usual stuck record as indicated below:

        “see this ed by Skerrit as a rogue regime.
        Skerrit Must Go
        Skerrit Must Go
        Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now”

        That is all you can say on all posts whether it is politcs or not! Are you for real or are you a disgruntled person who cannot say anything good. Who is lazy here? Not a word of encouragement. A hater who is obsessed with “Skerrit Must Go
        Skerrit Must Go
        Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now” DLP Skerrit

        Now I challenge you to make your intelligent contribution to the table. Let me hear you!

      • ????????????
        October 1, 2018

        % You still looking for Names? Nominate yourself Mr % (put in your correct name) . I will support you. You mean to say with all the noise you people making all around the place, you have no names for president. You see how much waste of time you folks (UWP) people are. No even proactive – No name for President even knowing that today would come. Way papa now you all soliciting names. Hmmm all you have the cart before the horse in all matters – demonstrations, boycott, denouncing all that is happening. Way boy all you will be late for everything wee. So embroiled in foolishness such as “Skerrit must go” etc , all you forgetting yourselves. What are your plans besides protesting for the island of Dominica. I hear all people helping – Samaritan Purse , Israel Aid, IOM, How comes I not hearing UWPEEE build a roof or house for someone? Boys moi est ce que zor paway! Too much talk no action plan!

      • Is So
        October 1, 2018

        A La poor pity %, if you cannot keep deadlines or understand basic procedure how can you run a country? You were given ample time, but you missed the train, stay on the platform and wave bye bye. If a begger could call a hard working person. like the PM, LAZY well a tick or bedbug would suit you just fine. Tell us on a daily basis YOUR accomplishments? Stale OLD TUNE only % and views expressed belives.

      • %
        October 1, 2018

        @???????
        Thanks for reading,but don’t burst your blood vessel,because Skerrit shall not send you to Martinique,because to him you are a non entity.Just a lazy groveller
        Skerrit Must Go
        Skerrit Must Go
        Lazy Skerrit Must Go can

    • For The Love Of Country
      October 1, 2018

      Boss – only one man’s credibility people like you fail to question and that’s the PM. Why leave it to Hon Lennox Linton – exercise your doggon civil liberty by challenge the constitutionality of Mr Savarin’s election in the court.

      • Joseph John
        October 1, 2018

        Agreed. I do not see the reason or all this boo hoo. If the action is unconstitutional take it to court. Mr Francis can challenge the decision with an injunction to make it null and void vis a vis the constitution.
        Instead of staging a walk out they could inform the Speaker of their intention and ask for a decision. So it would be in the record.

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