WINNIPEG—One of Manitoba’s longest-serving cabinet ministers says the NDP can continue to govern the province during a leadership contest that could drag on for months.

Opposition parties say embattled Premier Greg Selinger should call an election rather than a leadership race. But Dave Chomiak, minister of mineral resources, said the governing NDP can multi-task while Selinger’s leadership is in question.

“We can continue to work as a government and the party can make its own decision,” he said following a meeting in Selinger’s office at the legislature.

“Every four years, there is an election. The public gets a chance to make a decision as to what we have done as a government and whether they want us to continue or not. That’s democracy.

“The leader of the party is decided by the party.”

At an NDP executive meeting on the weekend, Selinger agreed to a leadership contest at the party’s annual convention in March. The executive is to hold another meeting this weekend to set ground rules and a specific date. Selinger will stand as a candidate and opponents will have the opportunity to run against him.

Selinger didn’t respond to media requests Monday. His press secretary said the premier would issue a statement.

Selinger has been under fire from his own cabinet and caucus over last year’s decision to raise the provincial sales tax. The party has plummeted in the polls and one party source told The Canadian Press that half the NDP caucus wanted Selinger to step down during a caucus retreat in September.

That evolved into open rebellion last week when five of Selinger’s most senior cabinet ministers resigned after publicly suggesting he should step aside. They have not reacted to the prospect of a leadership contest and did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister said the infighting is a distraction from the real concerns of Manitobans. All voters should be able to decide Selinger’s fate, not just card-carrying NDP members, he said.

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“Why should 99.9 per cent of Manitobans be excluded from deciding who the next premier of Manitoba is?” Pallister asked Monday. “Why should these democratic rights be limited to the members of the New Democratic Party and the few remaining supporters of the premier or of his rebellious ministers?”

Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari added her voice to the call for an immediate election.

“Like the rest of the NDP, Selinger only concerned with his political survival. Can’t run for party leader and be premier at same time,” Bokhari posted on Twitter. “Manitobans must be allowed to choose the next premier now. It is not for unaccountable NDP insiders to decide.”

The legislature is set to return Nov. 20 with a speech from the throne.

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