Trinidad and Tobago gets a new president, the second woman to be elected to the position

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#TrinidadandTobago, January 24, 2023 – Attorney Christine Carla Kangaloo is the newest President of Trinidad and Tobago, succeeding outgoing head of state Paula Mae Weekes.  Kangaloo, who is the second woman to hold the post, was elected on Friday, January 20, during a presidential election.

She was nominated by the government of the twin republic to contest Senior Counsel Israel Khan, who was nominated by the main opposition United National Congress (UNC).

The Electoral College, which includes all members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, conducted the voting by secret ballot.  Kangaloo received 48 votes, while Khan received 21 votes; there were three rejected ballots.

Kangaloo is the only person to serve as President and Vice President of the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago.  She is also a long-time member of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM), and in 2001, became a member of parliament as an opposition senator under the tenure of Opposition Leader Patrick Manning.

Kangaloo is the seventh head of state and Commander in Chief of Trinidad and Tobago.