ThE pRIME MINIsTER

of The rePublic of Trinidad and Tobago

WHO CHOOSES THE PRIME MINISTER?

The President of the republic appoints the Prime minister. The Prime minister is a member of the house of representatives, and is usually the leader of the political party which commands the support of the majority of members of that house.

Where no majority party emerges or where the party has no undisputed leader, the President appoints as Prime minister the person who, in his view, is most likely to command majority support in the house of representatives. in this case the President uses his discretion. The person appointed must be willing to accept the office of Prime Minister.

WHAT DOES THE PRIME MINISTER DO?

The Prime minister’s position of authority comes from the majority support in the house of representatives and from the power to appoint and dismiss ministers. The Prime minister is in charge of the Cabinet and is responsible for the allocation of functions among ministers. apart from being the leader of the Cabinet, which has effective control of the nation’s affairs, the Prime minister keeps the President fully informed concerning the general conduct of the government and shall provide the President with any information he may ask for with respect to any particular matter relating to the government.

DR. ERIC WILLIAMS ………………

August 31, 1962 – March 29, 1981

He was Chief Minister from 1956–1959 and Premier from 1959–1962

MR. GEORGE CHAMBERS …………

MR. ARTHUR N.R. ROBINSON ……

MR. PATRICK MANNING

MR. BASDEO PANDAy ……………

MRS. KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR

DR. KEITH ROWLEy ………………

March 30, 1981 – December 18, 1986

December 29, 1986 – December 17, 1991

January 13, 1992 – October 6, 1995

December 24, 2001 – October 9, 2002

October 9, 2002 – November 6, 2007

November 7, 2007 – May 25, 2010

November 9, 1995 – December 24, 2001

May 24, 2010 – September 7, 2015

September 9, 2015 – Present