President of Trinidad and Tobago

The President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is the head of state of Trinidad and Tobago and the commander-in-chief of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. The office was established when the country became a republic in 1976, before which the head of state was Queen Elizabeth II. The last Governor-General, Sir Ellis Clarke, was sworn in as the first President on 1 August 1976 under a transitional arrangement. He was formally chosen as President by an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of Parliament on 24 September 1976, which is now celebrated as Republic Day.

President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago
Presidential standard
Incumbent Paula-Mae Weekes since 19 March 2018
Style	His/Her Excellency
Residence	President's House, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Appointer	Electoral college consisting of all of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives
Term length	Five years, renewable indefinitely
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago
Precursor	Queen of Trinidad and Tobago
Inaugural holder	Sir Ellis Clarke
Formation	24 September 1976
Salary	$ 771,240 annually (2013)[1]
Website	www.otp.tt

Trinidad and Tobago
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Trinidad and Tobago
Government President (list) Paula-Mae Weekes Prime Minister Keith Rowley
Parliament Senate President Bridgid Annisette-George House of Representatives Speaker Christine Kangaloo Leader of the Opposition Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Judiciary Supreme Court Chief Justice: Ivor Archie Court of Appeal High Court Magistracy Family Court Privy Council committee (UK)
Elections Recent elections Presidential: 2008 2013 2018 General: 2010 2015 2020 Local (Trinidad): 2013 2016 2019 Local (Tobago): 2013 2017 2021 Political parties
Local government Administrative divisions Former counties Tobago House of Assembly
Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: Dennis Moses Diplomatic missions of / in Trinidad and Tobago Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Trinidad and Tobago portal Other countries

Under the 1976 constitution, the President is the nominal source of executive power. Like the British Sovereign (and heads of state in other Westminster systems), he or she "reigns but does not rule". In practice, executive authority is exercised by the Prime Minister and his or her cabinet, on behalf of the President. The President appoints as Prime Minister the leader of the largest party in the House of Representatives, and also appoints members of the Senate on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The President must be at least 35 years old (although no President has been younger than 59), a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, and at the time of nomination must have been resident in the country for an unbroken period of ten years.

The current President of Trinidad and Tobago is Paula-Mae Weekes. The official residence of the President is President's House, previously known as Government House when it was used by the Governors-General and Governors of the islands.