Dominica's new President takes office

Friday, October 3, 2003

ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica's new President, Dr Nicholas Liverpool, took office yesterday as the island's new head of state. Mr. Liverpool replaces President Vernon Shaw, who has held the position since 1998. However, while Prime Minister Pierre Charles and opposition leader Edison James agreed to the new President's appointment, key members of the opposition stayed away from parliament session on Friday, 26th September, when the new leadership was announced. 

Dominica's president is nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the leader of the opposition and is then elected by parliament. 

Dominica, which gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978, joined the British Commonwealth but rejected its Queen as the island's figurehead in favour of an appointed President. 

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