Ruling party ousted in Trinidad and Tobago general election

In Trinidad and Tobago, a number of senior Cabinet ministers, including Finance Minister Karen Nunez Tesheira, were among the major casualties of yesterday’s general election.



This clears the way for Kamla Persad-Bissessar to become the twin island republic’s first female head of government.



Public administration minister Kennedy Swartsingh; education minister Esther Le Gendre and Information Minister Neil Parsanlal were all defeated in the poll.



Public Utilities Minister Mustapha Hamid; Tourism Minister Joseph Ross and Tertiary Education Minister Christine Kangaloo also lost their positions.



Prime Minister Patrick Manning had called the election more than two years ahead of the constitutional deadline.



Political observers say the defeat could also signal the end of Manning’s leadership of the 54-year-old People’s National Movement which according to the preliminary results, was crushed by a 29-12 margin.



Manning himself has hinted at the possibility of leaving politics after 40 years in public life. He told supporters last night that the party’s General Council will meet later today to discuss the defeat as well as his future role in the party.