ST LUCIA-POLITICS-Future of government remains uncertain

 

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC - The future of Prime Minister Stephenson King as head of the ruling United Workers Party (UWP) government remained uncertain after disgruntled members met on Monday night to discuss new strategies for the removal of the Economic Affairs and Planning Minister Ausbert D'Auvergne.

 

The legislators have already given King an ultimatum regarding the dismissal of D'Auvergne whom they regard as wielding too much power as a non-elected member of the Cabinet.

 

Over the weekend, dismissed foreign affairs minister Rufus Bousquet and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Marcus Nicholas, said they had written Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy indicating that they no longer supported King as Prime Minister.

 

At least six government parliamentarians met at the home of Housing Minister Richard Frederick on Monday night prior to attending a meeting called by the Prime Minister at a hotel just outside the capital.

 

Informed sources told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that King, who is to address the nation later on Tuesday, appears ready to dismiss his Economic Affairs and Planning Minister who was brought into the government by his predecessor, the late Sir John Compton, following the December 2006 general elections.

 

The sources said that Frederick is also supporting moves to have King replaced by the UWP deputy political leader, Leonard Montoute, who is also the Minister for Public Service and Sports.

 

But Montoute has said that the future of the government would be decided at a meeting of all elected parliamentarians and the party's top officials.

 

"There were just six of us present and we therefore were unable to make a determination on the way forward. We will Tuesday when all will be present, after which we will take a final decision," Montoute said.

He said that going back to the polls as a way of resolving the impasse did not appear to be a popular option among the disgruntled legislators.

 

CMC/es/pr/dmb/08