Tracy Panton confirmed in a statement that a formal petition has been submitted to convene a National Party Council (NPC) meeting, in line with the UDP Constitution and under the status quo ante legal framework, which preserves the party structure prior to last year’s court injunction.
Panton said that the UDP “is seeking to ensure a sound path forward by asking for our next steps to be ones done under the status quo ante.”
According to the statement, Vice Chairman Alberto August “was not prepared to perform his duty to call a meeting of the National Party Council,” which prompted Panton’s support for the constitutional petition.
Under party rules, a valid petition mandates an NPC meeting. Secretary General Shary Medina and Vice Chairman August are now “constitutionally obliged to carry out the will of the petitioners and proceed with convening the NPC,” Panton added.
The National Party Council meeting is proposed for either May 17 or 24. According to Panton, she has the full support of Hugo Patt, the First Deputy Party Leader, to serve as Interim Leader until the next leadership convention.