Savarin, a former diplomat and trade unionist, had until last week served as minister of national security in the Roosevelt Skerrit administration and had been the government’s third nominee for the largely ceremonial post.
He received 19 votes and will replace President Eluid Williams, who was elected last year to complete the term of office of then President Nicholas Liverpool, who resigned because of ill-health.
Opposition legislators had also boycotted William’s election in the Parliament and had called on Savarin to withdraw his nomination.
But Prime Minister Skerrit told Parliament that the opposition had not named a candidate during the mandatory 14 days as stipulated by the Constitution because of the failure to agree on a consensus candidate. (CMC)
