Jamaica CRC reaches accord on removing monarchy

Jamaica’s Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) has arrived at consensus to recommend the abolition of the constitutional monarchy as the form of government and has deliberated on the process by which a president would be selected.

Legal and Constitutional Affairs Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte, shared that since the committee was formed, it has held five meetings.

“Once we have abolished the monarchy from the make-up of our form of Government, it will be replaced by the Office of President of the Republic of Jamaica.

The president of the Republic of Jamaica is to be a separate office from the head of government of Jamaica,” she said during a press conference held at Jamaica House on Friday afternoon.
On the matter of selecting the president, Malahoo Forte detailed that the consensus is that it will be on the nomination of the prime minister, after consultation with the leader of the opposition, to be confirmed in the Parliament.

“It is our intention to legislate that the two Houses will sit together to make this determination on a special vote,” the minister said.

Further, the committee has arrived at the consensus that any country other than Jamaica will be considered a foreign country.

Malahoo Forte shared that the committee is of the view that the reform will take out of the Constitution any reference to the Commonwealth and any privilege to be attached to Jamaica’s relationship to the bloc will be done in ordinary legislation.

Opposition Member of Parliament Anthony Hylton, affirmed that the process has been robust.

“It has been consensual. We have been able to make some decisions and the Opposition remains very much engaged and involved in this very important and historic process,” Hylton said. (Gleaner)