Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is "optimistic" that issues regarding the controversial San Fernando mayorship will be resolved in the third meeting of leaders of the People's Partnership coalition Government, which takes place at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's today.

She also stated that, contrary to a report in this week's Sunday Express, there will be no cabinet reshuffle or portfolio realignments.

"I am upbeat things will work and we can sort things out between us as leaders tomorrow," she said yesterday at the Hilton Trinidad, St Ann's yesterday, after the launch ceremony for the Caribbean Investment Forum.

The catalyst for the meetings, the first two of which ended in stalemates, was the alleged "jumping ship" by San Fernando Mayor Marlene Coudray, a Congress of the People (CoP) appointee, to the United National Congress (UNC). Coudray is now UNC Deputy Political Leader.

Regarding the issue of party members shifting allegiances, Persad-Bissessar said they will have to have "discussions on the matter."

"There is a strong commitment among all the leaders, based on the previous meeting, to make things work because we do believe that we are doing well," she said.

Coudray had surprised many with her announcement during the UNC internal elections nominations that she would be contesting the Deputy Political Leader post. She subsequently won the position, as part of the "Nationalists" slate, led by Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal.

COP political leader Prakash Ramadhar had publicly taken issue with Coudray's shift in political allegiance, and stated that if the San Fernando mayorship did not return to the CoP, as per the Fyzabad Accord that established the People's Partnership coalition, he would withdraw his party's support. He subsequently softened his position, however.

When asked what she thought of Ramadhar's apparent change of heart, Persad-Bissessar responded, "You will have to ask them. I won't know until I go in there tomorrow what will happen."

Commenting on the results of the ANSA McAL Institute of Psychology poll published last Sunday, she was very happy to see the response.

"Add the excellent, good, fair ratings—it's almost 80 per cent, so the Government is doing fine."

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is "optimistic" that issues regarding the controversial San Fernando mayorship will be resolved in the third meeting of leaders of the People's Partnership coalition Government, which takes place at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's today.

She also stated that, contrary to a report in this week's Sunday Express, there will be no cabinet reshuffle or portfolio realignments.

"I am upbeat things will work and we can sort things out between us as leaders tomorrow," she said yesterday at the Hilton Trinidad, St Ann's yesterday, after the launch ceremony for the Caribbean Investment Forum.

The catalyst for the meetings, the first two of which ended in stalemates, was the alleged "jumping ship" by San Fernando Mayor Marlene Coudray, a Congress of the People (CoP) appointee, to the United National Congress (UNC). Coudray is now UNC Deputy Political Leader.

Regarding the issue of party members shifting allegiances, Persad-Bissessar said they will have to have "discussions on the matter."

"There is a strong commitment among all the leaders, based on the previous meeting, to make things work because we do believe that we are doing well," she said.

Coudray had surprised many with her announcement during the UNC internal elections nominations that she would be contesting the Deputy Political Leader post. She subsequently won the position, as part of the "Nationalists" slate, led by Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal.

COP political leader Prakash Ramadhar had publicly taken issue with Coudray's shift in political allegiance, and stated that if the San Fernando mayorship did not return to the CoP, as per the Fyzabad Accord that established the People's Partnership coalition, he would withdraw his party's support. He subsequently softened his position, however.

When asked what she thought of Ramadhar's apparent change of heart, Persad-Bissessar responded, "You will have to ask them. I won't know until I go in there tomorrow what will happen."

Commenting on the results of the ANSA McAL Institute of Psychology poll published last Sunday, she was very happy to see the response.

"Add the excellent, good, fair ratings—it's almost 80 per cent, so the Government is doing fine."