JAMAICANS NEED to pay careful attention to the electoral deadlock in Trinidad and Tobago, if only because with a 60-seat Parliament a similar result is theoretically possible here.
In population terms, Trinidad and Tobago is the second largest state in the English-speaking Caribbean. It is also the anchor economy for the entire southern Caribbean and a key source of manufactures for the entire region.
The country is now the source of one of the biggest investment streams into Jamaica as well as being intimately involved in our music and culture. Trinidad and Tobago is also the birthplace of a small but noticeable group of young professionals making their contribution here.
Reports out of Port-of-Spain yesterday pointed to "considerable progress" in negotiations between Panday's United People's Congress (UNC) and Manning's People's National Movement for some form of power-sharing government of national unity. Monday's elections produced an 18-18 tie for a 36-seat Parliament.
The process bears watching as it may break new ground in regional governance. Trinidadian politics has to accommodate the sharp racial divide of the Black-dominated PNM on one hand and the Indian-dominated UNC on the other.
Jamaica's own current political ferment heading toward impending general elections has evoked calls for a government of national unity. If it ever comes to that power-sharing would obviously have to be part of some compromise even though the circumstances differ from Trinidad's.
There are some similarities though. The post-election talks take place against a background of allegations of ballot-rigging, the use of poor quality indelible ink at polling stations and so many complaints about the voters' list that one newspaper editorial described it as a "national embarrassment."
As of yesterday the political leaders see an early end to their crisis.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner.
