While Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said he would push to ensure that the prime minister of The Bahamas can serve no more than two terms, former Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing said as a part of a democratic society, the Bahamian people should be allowed to vote for a leader as many times as they desire.
Minnis told The Tribune that he believes after two terms, whether consecutive or not, there needs to be a new leader. He said new leadership would ensure the generation of new ideas, vision and further the development of the country.He was responding to questions regarding Prime Minister Perry Christie's decision to run again for leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
Christie, who is 72, is serving his second non-consecutive term in office.
"I do not know what is happening with him (Christie), but the proper thing would now be for him to go," Minnis said.
"After two terms, it is time for new leadership, new ideas, new direction and new focus.
"Young people are the future and stepping down allows everyone an opportunity to help guide the country.
"We cannot have another [Lynden] Pindling who served for 25 or more years.
"In order for this country to go where it needs to go the leadership must be changed after two terms and the Free National Movement (FNM) will push for that."
Laing said, "People should be able to vote for a leader a billion times. We just said it. You are elected by the people. Well, if the people want to elect a man five billion times then that is their right. But if the people decide I want to limit his terms, I am fine with that too."
Laing was a guest on 'Let's of Talk Live' on Guardian Radio yesterday.
Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham served three terms: from 1992 to 1997, from 1997 to 2002, and from 2007 to 2012.
Christie served between 2002 and 2007 and was reelected in 2012.
In its 2013 report, the Constitutional Commission did not recommend placing any term limits on the tenure of the prime minister.
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