I never said that the President abused his power. I simply quoted what a CARICOM parliamentarian had to say. On the one hand the constitution allows the President to use his discretion in choosing a PM when the need arises. On the other hand, the constitution only lists a limited number of situations where the PM could be replaced. None of those situations cover being replaced by a rival who received fewer votes than the incumbent PM.

Yes. The president may have exercised his discretion in choosing a PM in harmony with the constitution. However, that decision might have been done under shady circumstances. When PM Manning was asked if he had discussed a deal with the President to re-appoint him if Manning was chosen as PM, he denied that such a deal took place. However, he did acknowledge that the subject of Robinson’s re-appointment did come up. Hmmm! Could there be a smoking gun here?

All of that having been said, Manning is the PM. However, given the circumstances of his appointment, he should be making haste to call a new election so that honor might be returned to the position that he occupies.