Candidates prepare for home stretch in Chief Minister race

Candidates prepare for home stretch in Chief Minister race

Having been sworn in on Friday, the Assembly will meet on Monday to decide whether incumbent Chief Minister Ian Gorst or Senator John Le Fondré should take the top job in Island politics for the next four years.

Lots will be drawn to decide who addresses the Assembly first, with Senators Gorst and Le Fondré each being granted ten minutes to speak to the Chamber before facing an hour of questions from Members. The opposing candidate will be asked to leave the Chamber while the other is addressing the Assembly.

Members will then be asked to vote.

Whoever is successful will then have just three days to finalise his preferred ministerial team before the States meets again on Thursday to decide the make-up of the Council of Ministers.

Six of the 11 previous ministers opted not to seek re-election, meaning there will be a very different Council of Ministers for the next term.

Senator Lyndon Farnham, who had previously expressed an interest in becoming Chief Minster, pulled out of the race and has said that he wants to keep the Economic Development brief, while Senatorial poll-topper Tracey Vallois wants to be Education Minister.

The newly appointed Chief Minister will be able to propose his preferred minister for each of the Council’s positions. However, anyone can challenge for any of the posts, with each contested role ultimately being decided by a vote.

As well as appointing ministers on Thursday, the Assembly will also select the Members who will chair each of the Scrutiny Panels.

Monday’s and Thursday’s sittings will start at 9.30 am.

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