Bernard Wagner to Lead P.U.P. CitCo Team?

Judith Alpuche

Since the confirmation of the incumbent United Democratic Party’s slate in August, the announcement for the unveiling of the People’s United Party slate in Belize City has been hotly anticipated. The press was able to tease details from Briceño during this afternoon’s press conference, such as the name of the mayoral candidate, who he confirmed is Bernard Wagner, a former banker. But how well does the party expect to do next March, and is Kareem Musa on Briceño’s endorsement slate after teasing to challenge the party leader?

John Briceño, P.U.P. Leader

“We are going to have a launch, not this weekend, but the following weekend, I think it’s the fourth of November. And I am pleased to also announce that Bernard Wagner is going to be our mayoral candidate – a dynamic young man, a young man I’ve had the pleasure to meet; a person that is sincere, that is genuine, a person that has lived in Southside, has worked in Southside, that has worked with young people, has worked in the bank – so he is a rounded individual, that is not just depending on who he is but what he has done, that he is offering himself. So I am very excited about the team, and we are going to have a public endorsement, not this weekend, but the following weekend.  About five of them are under the age of twenty-three; we have a person that has a doctorate, another person with banking experience; so we have a well-rounded team, a very, very good team that the residents of Belize City will be excited to support.”

Reporter

“Have you received any indication from the secretariat if there will be a challenge, or will it be an unopposed celebration of the leadership of John Briceño?”

John Briceño

“We will know tomorrow at four o’clock; but so far, I haven’t heard or seen any indications that there will be a challenge. But we will know tomorrow at four o’clock.”

Reporter

“Will Kareem Musa be on your slate as a deputy leader for the East? We know that he missed what we are told internally was a deadline to tell you yes, I want to be on your slate.”

John Briceño

“As you mentioned, I asked him to be on my slate and he never responded, so I am putting up a slate.”

Reporter

“A slate not including him?”

John Briceño

“As I said he never responded, so I am putting up a slate, a complete slate including a deputy leader for the Eastern Caucus.”