Guernsey’s new States members will be sworn in today – and then they’ll get straight to work electing a new leader.
The 38 members of the States of Guernsey and the two States of Alderney representatives together make up the States of Deliberation.
Once the Guernsey cohort – made up of 18 States members re-elected from the last term of office, three former deputies returning to the States, and 17 newcomers – have been sworn in, the 2025-29 States of Deliberation will meet for the first time.
Their first task will be to elect a President of the Policy and Resources Committee.
This is done by way of a secret ballot and it could be over in one round, or it might take all day.
Express understands at least two deputies will be nominated for the role, with a third potentially still standing too.
Other potential candidates have fallen by the wayside as behind the scenes talks have gone on over the past couple of weeks since the election results were declared.
The front runner to be elected P&R President is island wide poll topper Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez.
If elected she will be the first woman to hold the role.
She faces competition from Deputy Mark Helyar who had campaigned on a pro GST+ mandate saying he would look to be elected as P&R President to see the implementation of GST+ through to completion.
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq previously confirmed he would be standing for the role but Express understands he may be persuaded to stand aside to support Deputy de Sausmarez’s hopes instead.
Each candidate for the role must be nominated and seconded by another Deputy.
The nominator and seconder will give their reasons for supporting the candidate before the candidate also speaks.
Once all the speeches have been given a secret ballot will be held.
If one candidate secures a clear majority they are duly elected as P&R President. If there is not a clear majority then a further secret ballot will be held until the position is secured.
Once the P&R President has been elected, the States will retire for the day before holding another meeting on Wednesday where the members of P&R will be chosen.
The P&R President will nominate who they wish to fill the four vacant roles, while nominations can also be made by other States Members.
Wednesday’s States meeting will start with a tribute to former Deputy Harold Allen who recently died.