House Speaker Ralph Ramkarran is the early favourite to succeed President Bharrat Jagdeo when he demits office, according to the findings of an opinion poll conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Asso- ciation (NACTA) last week.
He is followed by former PPP/C minister Moses Nagamootoo, although PPP supporters feel that he will not get the party’s nod as the presidential candidate next election, and given that Ramkarran would be the best candidate to succeed President Jagdeo. Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar were the other choices from the governing party.
In terms of popular support for the PPP presidential nomination, Ramkarran is way ahead of his potential rivals. He is also ahead of potential candidates for the presidency from opposing parties, leading Robert Corbin of the PNC/R by almost two to one and Raphael Trotman of the AFC by more than four to one. President Jagdeo cannot seek re-election in 2011 when his term of office ends.