In Jamaica, minister of legal and constitutional affairs says 'hybrid presidency' being considered

Two months after staunchly defending the Government's preference for a ceremonial president when Jamaica becomes a republic, co-chairman of the constitutional reform committee (CRC) Marlene Malahoo Forte has indicated that the Andrew Holness-led Administration may likely not have its wish. The thinking now, she said, is for a president whose duties have been customised for the country's unique needs. "At this stage we're leaning towards a hybrid presidency. Not a ceremonial president, a president that will exercise a set of powers — some ceremonial, some executive. We are tailor-making something for the Jamaican people," she told a town hall meeting in Portland on Wednesday evening. Malahoo Forte is also minister of legal and constitutional affairs. The Opposition People's National Party has also in the past expressed a preference for a ceremonial president once Jamaica is a republic. There has been significant interest in the post, with speculation ranging from the powers the office will have to who will fill the position. At the inaugural town hall meeting in Montego Bay in April, Malahoo Forte had indicated that thought was being given to making the presidency a seven-year term, thereby elevating it from the political fray of the five-year general election cycle. [...] Malahoo Forte did not indicate [...] what had led to the CRC's current thinking on the issue. [...] She reminded her audience that reformation of the constitution will be done in phases and that the input of Jamaicans is crucial to the process. In addition to the abolition of the constitutional monarchy and the establishment of the office of the president, the first phase will also address extension of the life of Parliament and qualification to sit in the Parliament. Phase two will deal with the issues of rights, among other concerns.
Read the full article here: Jamaica Observer