PM, Opposition leader to consult on new President

Dominica’s current president Dr. Nicholas Liverpool

Consultation to select a new Head of State for Dominica gets underway on Wednesday.

Dominica News Online has been reliably informed that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is expected to meet with opposition leader Hector John to begin the process of selecting a new president.

The Constitution of Dominica states, “whenever the office of the President is vacant or the term of office of the president is due to expire within not more than 90 days, the Prime Minister shall consult with the Leader of the opposition as to their nomination of a suitable candidate for election as President”.

Reports indicate that opposition leader Hector John was handed an invitation last week, one week prior to the consultation.

While there is no official word yet on the choice for the new president, reports suggest that retired public servant Eluid Williams is next in line for the position.

The island’s current president, Dr. Nicholas Liverpool, is due to end his second term as Head of State next year, but there are indications that he might leave earlier because of ill health.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

52 Comments

  1. vanessa
    August 16, 2012

    Dominica is to little for two of them,only leave the M in charge of the country

  2. vanessa
    August 16, 2012

    the PM should just take the position of the president because I don’t see what the use in having a president who have no power,wasting country money paying doing nothing

  3. Oh God
    August 16, 2012

    HE cannot hide nor run away from his conscience.

  4. Citizen
    August 16, 2012

    Please get my email address off the page. Thanks

  5. Pondera
    August 15, 2012

    It does not matter to me who emerge as president; I only want to see due process in keeping with the spirit of the constitution. Lets stop the bickering about justifying telephone talk over such a serious matter. Lets see the PM and the opposition leader seat to discuss the issue and let the cips fall where they may.

  6. Write as taught D/a
    August 15, 2012

    Don’t mean no harm. But can we Dominicans read, comprehend, speak, spell and write the right way we were taught? Doesn’t matter what the issue is.

    • Malatete
      August 16, 2012

      Maybe that’s the problem. Children are not taught properly anymore. Pupils entering secondary education, who are deficient in the skills of basic reading, writing and arithmetic . Don’t even mention grammar! A education system that has been dumbed down to the lowest common denominator, all for the sake of socio-political dogma. What is wrong with the pursuit of excellence, of nurturing talent and competition? The route we have embarked on only leads to mediocracy. Wake up Dominicans, demand the best for your children and their future.

  7. Bring Em Young Mormo
    August 15, 2012

    This office is rediculous,obsolete and disfuntional,I say this because,the Prime minister can fire the President,so can the President fire the Prime minister,since a vast number of citizens disapprove of that office I say lets hold a referandum to determin the acceptance of that costly and ineffective office

  8. Waiting
    August 15, 2012

    this president could behe father,grandfather or greatgrandfather of this young prime minster and better still he claim to be a lawyer…….couldn’t he have guided this pm properly in conducting the affairs of this country? if he trully says that he love skerrit; God what was this my man objective as president of Dominica? God you who knows all things, sees all things, understands all things, hears all things will bring justice to light

  9. DominicanAbroad
    August 15, 2012

    I don’t live in Dominica so I don’t fully understand so please dont reply back rudely. Does the president , prime minister & the government in power all have to come from the same party?

  10. Reader
    August 15, 2012

    Let’s see if the Hon. Leader of the Opposition shows up. I won’t be surprised if his handlers advice not to go and he send a note saying he cannot make it; let’s move it to such and such a date. I almost expect that to be the outcome. Mark my words ….

  11. Patat
    August 15, 2012

    If there is a Dominican with roots from Salisbury and the PM chooses him without consultation the opposition leader will put his tail between his legs!!!!!!!!!

  12. Shameless
    August 15, 2012

    Brian Allyne or Tiyani Douglas are the only credible choices that will guard our constitution like watchdogs.

    Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  13. Teacher
    August 15, 2012

    While we may have different opinions on the nominee for President and who should or should be President I think we have to be open to the facts. I want endorse The nomination of Mr. Eluid Williams for the Position of Head of State. Mr. Williams known during his tenure as Permanent Secretary is known as the hardest working PS and was always given the Ministry with the most work and always did what had to be done without fare or favour and without any political bias. Mr. Williams helped to develop the revolution of the telecom sector at its teething stages among allot of other things done by this positive Dominican. Good choice and Hon. John I honestly think we can approve that choice of the PM for balance and hard work in that office.

  14. August 14, 2012

    HOW ABOUT TELFORD SHILLINGFORD WELL RESPECTED &
    WELL KNOWN

  15. Mamizoo
    August 14, 2012

    I beg to nominate peeping tom, corkom,or PROF WIKILEAKS for president. Three idiots for president a testimony that we dont need a president

    • Back side
      August 14, 2012

      Pure waste of funds that could be put into good use.

    • Shameless
      August 15, 2012

      :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: oh lawd my belly horting :lol: :lol: . Now thats really funny..

      Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  16. :-)
    August 14, 2012

    Make sure all u give him two bottle of rum when he leaving ok…this one is on the State Mr. President.

    • Chew Barka
      August 15, 2012

      Hey, Bois Bande’ would be the ideal selection. For him, 2 secs befoe activity. For the PM 30 mins before activity, eh boss?

  17. Jonny
    August 14, 2012

    I would go for someone who has a good reputation and who is well known internationally. It is no need we go for anyone even a lawyer who is corrupt and who the people hold in low esteem and so it would be a breath of fresh air if Billy Doctrove, Goodwill Ambassador is nominated as the next President. I think he would be an excellent choice and one that is a above board,impeccable reputation and a Gentleman who is well respected locally, Regionally and Internationally

  18. Malgraysa
    August 14, 2012

    “might leave early because of ill health”. But mister well fit to go to London for Olympic games at our expense. Look cochonie there. Lost all my respect for this gentleman.

    • Mr.Gouty
      August 15, 2012

      Boy mister like whisky and brouth.

      • Chew Barka
        August 15, 2012

        Can you get Priskilash to check his liver for free?

  19. yeah
    August 14, 2012

    MR John just becareful because you know who this man is how he can twist things round so please becareful what you infront of this man, i thank you,

  20. mysterious phantom
    August 14, 2012

    what is the use of a president anyway? Just to throw away a monthly ten thousand dollar check of tax payers money in the hands of an individual whom has no real use and whom the prime minister can dismiss anytime he feels like? Does this make any sense?

    • General
      August 14, 2012

      Good thinking.

  21. ?????????
    August 14, 2012

    He is descending from his high horse.

  22. Anonymous
    August 14, 2012

    THESE ARE MY NOMINIEES FOR PRESIDENT

    1—-MR.DESMOND BLANCHARD EX COP

    2—-MR JOFFERY HARRIS LAWYER

    3—-MR BRIAN ALLYNE LAWYER

    HECTOR CHECK THESE MEN FOR THE PRESIDENCY POSSITION

    • Perro Calliente
      August 14, 2012

      my choice for president are:
      Dr. Lennox Honychurch – Historian – Wodford Hill
      Mr. Gerry Aird – Businessman – Roseau
      Mr. Edward Registe – Radio personality – Grand Bay
      Mr. Reginald Winston – Attorney at Law – Roseau
      Mr. Bernard Whilshire – Founder of WEF – Castle Bruse
      :wink: or vote for me, PERRO CALIENTE

      • princess Osanna
        August 14, 2012

        I support the suggestion of Bernard Wiltshire.
        He is quite able and capable.
        Let us stop being petty and give jack his jacket.
        If we do not need a president please do away with that position. Too much of the country’s money is being given to people doing nothing for the country.
        If we do need one let us do what is best for the country.
        I also support the choice of Brian Alleyne.

      • hhmm
        August 15, 2012

        my choices for president are:

        Gravity

        Yellow

        Zang

      • somebody
        August 15, 2012

        What about Mr.Joey Peltier very honest man. Founder of SPAT and a well educated economist and former director of Agriculture.

    • willis dew
      August 14, 2012

      SIR BRIAN ALLYNE IS THE BEST 4 THE RACE.

  23. scotland yard
    August 14, 2012

    thats it pm , you have the last say but do it right man…i will respect you more

  24. I AM DOMINICAN
    August 14, 2012

    In the election of a new President, the Prime Minister MUST consult with the Leader of the Opposition. In other words the Prime Minister has no choice.

    You see unlike section 92 of the constitution with covers the appointment of a Police Chief, section 19 uses the phrase “SHALL CONSULT” in respect to the election of the President.

    Now if the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition does not agree on a single candidate, the Leader of the Opposition may nominate his own candidate. In this case parliament would have to vote on the two candidates. And this is not unprecedented as we have had parliament vote on a President in the past.

    • Papa Dom
      August 15, 2012

      Like Eugenia once said to a reporter;”you are too smart for your own good” does the quote below from the constitution suggest that skerritt can do as he pleases when appointing someone to be or act as chief of police? I think not! so stop being a jack in a box
      “shall vest in the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, given after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the Police Service Commission.”

  25. CIA on the Watch
    August 14, 2012

    DNO, could we get some more details as to what is going to be the nature of this consultation, is the Hon. leader of the opposition going to suggest somebody or is the Prime minister suggesting someone to the leader of the opposition and asking him to agree. Dominica needs a constitutional amendment for us to elect the president not to have a ceremonial head of state who cant express a view contary to that of the Government, that is what is expected of modern Democracy espically in the caribbean where the politics demands that the people must have their way at all times. The time is now let Dominica be the first and may i suggest to the Hon Leader of the Opposition that he request that of the Prime Minister, The way this curent President operating is way below the expectations of the Dominican people, never have i seen such a politicall bias guy

  26. hhmm
    August 14, 2012

    WOW!!!
    the GOD has been dragged down to Earth to mingle with the mere humans.

    i never thought it would be possible

  27. Anonymous
    August 14, 2012

    THESE A MY SUGGESSION FOR PRESIDENT OF DOMINICA

    1 — JOFFERY HARRIS

    2 — BRIAN ALLYEN

    3 — DESMOND BLANCHARD

    ONE OF THESE WOULD BE THE BEST CHOICE

  28. cool running
    August 14, 2012

    I honestly don’t see the need for us to contiue to pay the salary of another president. To me, Mr. Liverpool has so badly represented the office of the president that I feel we can do without one. I think the time has come for us to amend our constitution and do away with that politician elected office because Mr. Liverpool’s tenure confirms that they don’t serve the people of Dominica, but instead, reward the party that elected them as was clearly the case in Mr. Liverpool. My asvise is if we really need a president, either we the people should vote for one based on all major parties nominating a canditate and we the people vote for one of our choice. Otherwise, Mr Liverpool taught us that it is indeed a political office and upholding our constitution, if we still have one, is not a necessity.

    • Coco Di fiolo
      August 14, 2012

      I agree with you on one point. As a nation we should amend our constitution to allow the president to be directly by the people.He/she must be given certain powers as head of state and there must be certain other rules which must govern his office.The president must be elected for a six(6) year term in a general election.

  29. Anonymous
    August 14, 2012

    Well I hope it really happens. This is what should always happen in the first place – they don’t have to agree; but there has to be consultation

  30. Ahha?
    August 14, 2012

    We have a president na?

    • ...
      August 14, 2012

      learn to read before commenting na

  31. kee
    August 14, 2012

    good to see them working together

    • Peeping Tom
      August 14, 2012

      :lol: :lol: :lol:

  32. Princess
    August 14, 2012

    “Reports indicate that opposition leader Hector John was handed an invitation last week, one week prior to the consultation.”

    This is much better than an overnight phone call. You see, sometimes discussions are healthy and not everytime that someone criticize something that it is meant for bad. Sometimes it is meant to teach us better. Way to Go PM!!!!

  33. Whistler
    August 14, 2012

    wonder if the Prime Minister learnt something finally from his recent trip to Antigua..haha

    That’s the Big problem we have in small third world places…Authorities don’t understand how the system works they still have this slave Master mindset what a shame…

    After the Haiti Earthquake didn’t current US Pres Obama Bring onboard Pass US Pres Bush and Clinton To assist.

    Those are the avenues of maturity not kids getting excited as this present regime does always..

    its a shocking that slavery many haven’t learnt at all..many still back themselves with that ignorance factor which in turn brings that virus of being in the darker side of one’s mindset.

    Dominica is presently suffering extremely terrible from Mature and Visionary Leadership.

    Sums up Dominica as the Poorest and unattractive for Investment and better living avenues for its citizens…

    • Another UWP Clown
      August 14, 2012

      I see that you are wearing a chain around your neck. Wasn’t it the same congress that could act on a bill that saw the US got its first downgrade…so did they act mature, sissy or little girls.

      But Who is John going to nominate, that will be interesting

      • All things Equal
        August 14, 2012

        Mr. GON EMMANUEL… Let Justice Prevail

    • I.
      August 14, 2012

      Think first before writing. Obama did not bring Clinton ….people like your self make Dominican look like fools.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available