Parliament is set to convene on Tuesday for a pivotal first sitting of the newly elected House, officially ushering in legislative proceedings for the 2025 government, with key procedural votes and constitutional matters expected to dominate the agenda.
Outgoing House Speaker Claudius Francis underscored the significance of the sitting, explaining that members will first be required to elect a new Speaker before any parliamentary business can proceed.
“Parliament meets on Tuesday. They will vote for a Speaker who will take his or her seat,” Francis said. “Then he or she will swear in the Deputy Speaker and all of the members of parliament.”
Francis emphasized that members will not be permitted to participate in debates or proceedings until the formal swearing-in process is completed. “Until the members are sworn in, they would not have the ability to speak in the parliament,” he stated.
He also confirmed that his tenure as Speaker will formally come to an end on Tuesday morning.
“The Speaker’s post would expire at 9.59 on Tuesday morning,” Francis said.
In addition to the procedural matters, Francis addressed questions surrounding a controversial constitutional amendment that was previously delayed following objections from the Opposition.
He explained that although there was no legal barrier preventing implementation, the Prime Minister opted to pause the process out of deference to the courts. “Because the Leader of the Opposition raised objections, the Prime Minister decided to hold back on the implementation until the courts preside,” Francis said. “There was no injunction. There was nothing in place.”
Francis noted that the government had the legal authority to move forward but chose restraint. “The Prime Minister could have proceeded, but he decided to hold strain until the court ruled on the constitutionality of the amendment,” he added.
Tuesday’s sitting is expected to set the tone for the new parliamentary term, as newly elected ministers and members take their oaths and prepare to advance the government’s legislative agenda amid close public scrutiny.
