Vincent Meriton becomes vice-president, Macsuzy Mondon designated minister |28 October 2016

. Peter Larose unanimously chosen as minister

Vincent Meriton is Seychelles’ new vice-president and Macsuzy Mondon is the designated minister after the Parti Lepep members of the National Assembly voted them into office, while Peter Larose is the only minister out of four proposed to get the nod.

All 14 Parti Lepep members voted in favour of Mr Meriton and Mrs Mondon to become the country’s vice-president and designated minister, while the opposition – Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) – members abstained. Voting took place during yesterday’s session of the National Assembly.

All 32 members voted in favour of Dr Peter Larose becoming a minister in President Danny Faure’s cabinet.

While Parti Lepep’s 14 members were in favour of Ambassador Marie-Louise Potter, Ambassador Dick Esparon and Dr Patrick Herminie becoming ministers, the motions were defeated by the LDS members with 18 votes.

The leader of the opposition Wavel Ramkalwan said although the Constitution makes provision for a vice-president and designated minister, LDS members would not vote for Mr Meriton and Mrs Mondon to become the country’s vice-president and designated minister. The 18 LDS members, who are in majority in the National Assembly, abstained while the 14 Parti Lepep members voted in favour.

He added that they voted for Mr Larose because he is a technocrat, but voted against Ambassador Marie-Louise Potter, Ambassador Dick Esparon and Dr Patrick Herminie becoming ministers as they are all politicians of Parti Lepep.

Leader of government business Charles Decommarmond had proposed that the vote should be by secret ballot, but after some LDS members disagreed with his request, Speaker Patrick Pillay ruled that the vote would be by show of hands for transparency.

Vice-President Meriton, Designated Minister Mondon and Minister Larose will also be sworn in this morning in a ceremony at State House, starting at 9.30am.

All candidates were interviewed by members of the National Assembly on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Seychelles NATION had learned that following LDS’ decision to vote against President Faure’s wish that Ambassador Marie-Louise Potter, Ambassador Dick Esparon and Dr Patrick Herminie become ministers, the president could either reshuffle his existing cabinet or come back to the National Assembly with a fresh list of names as proposed ministers.

But, a press release from State House wrote that in accordance with the relevant articles of the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles, President Faure received a formal communiqué from the National Assembly this afternoon.

“This communiqué stated the approval of the appointments of Vincent Meriton as vice-president, Macsuzy Mondon as designated minister and Dr Peter Larose as a new Cabinet Minister. They will take their oath of office at an official ceremony to be held at State House on Friday October 28, 2016 at 9.30am,” wrote the release.

It added that “the president will be addressing the members of the new cabinet at a special meeting on Saturday October 29, 2016 at 9.30am.”