Christine Kangaloo sworn in as new president of Trinidad & Tobago

Christine Kangaloo – the 62-year-old former president of the Senate – was sworn into office Monday as the 7th President of Trinidad & Tobago, promising to demystify the office as well as encourage intellectual, cultural, and artistic debates in the oil-rich twin island republic.

While Kangaloo, the second consecutive woman to be elected to the largely ceremonial post, also promised to be engaged in “relentless advocacy” to achieve her aims, she noted also that it would be done diplomatically without “acrimony or bitterness” and that much emphasis will be placed on the development of the youth.

She took the oath of office before Chief Justice Ivor Archie at a ceremony held at the Queen’s Park Savanah on the outskirts of the capital and witnessed by her husband, her 95-year-old mother, as well as Prime Minister Keith Rowley, and more than 500 guests.

Kangaloo, who replaces Paula Mae-Weekes, who did not seek a further 5-year term, said she is also aware of the “disquiet” that surrounded her election to the position having been nominated by the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) of which she had been a member some years ago.

Kangaloo’s nomination had been opposed by the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) which named prominent criminal attorney Israel Khan as its candidate. However, he was soundly defeated during the secret balloting by the Electoral College that comprised legislators from both houses of Parliament. -(CMC)