Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles-Robinson has warned that Trinidad and Tobago is displaying what she described as troubling signs of growing authoritarianism under the UNC Government.
During her contribution to the 2027 Budget debate, Beckles identified several developments that she argued could weaken democratic institutions and concentrate power within the executive.
Among her concerns were repeated states of emergency, expanded policing powers, changes to public procurement legislation and political criticism directed at independent institutions.
She also questioned the handling of controversial legislation in Parliament, referring specifically to the Special Operations Bill and the use of casting votes by the Senate President to resolve voting deadlocks.
Beckles maintained that parliamentary majorities should not be interpreted as unlimited authority to govern without sufficient scrutiny.
She additionally raised concerns about political attacks on journalists, independent senators, the Law Association and other institutions responsible for holding governments accountable.
The Opposition Leader argued that democracies can deteriorate gradually through decisions that weaken institutional independence and limit accountability.
Her remarks represented a political warning rather than a formal finding that Trinidad and Tobago had become an authoritarian state.
Beckles pledged that the PNM would defend constitutional freedoms and democratic institutions against what she characterised as increasing threats.
