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This article was published 29/11/2014 (2123 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Greg Selinger will not be required by his party to step down during an NDP leadership race.

The NDP executive made the decision this morning at a special meeting to approve the rules for a forthcoming leadership contest.

After a three-hour closed-door session at the party’s offices on Portage Avenue, the 25-member executive issued a statement. All refused comment as they filed out of the meeting.

The statement, by Party President Ellen Olfert, provided few details on the rules of a leadership race, except to confirm that it would be held during the party’s annual convention March 6-8 in Winnipeg.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Embattled leader Greg Selinger briefly attended today's NDP meeting.

Olfert did not indicate whether the executive had pressured Selinger to step down, but noted that the party brass didn’t have the power, under law, to require him to resign. Selinger has said he intends to remain on the job, even if challenged.

"After extensive study and the retention of legal expertise, there are no provisions in our constitution which would require the leader to recuse himself from his duly elected office during this process," Olfert said.

"Moreover, there are no provisions within The Elections Act or The Election Financing Act which would require the premier to step down in the event of a leadership challenge at the next convention."

Potential leadership candidate Theresa Oswald refused to comment today, saying that she will let the process "take its course."

She noted that the executive’s decision today will be brought forward to the party’s provincial council — a more powerful body within the NDP — on Dec. 6.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Steve Ashton

Selinger attended the start of the meeting, but left after 30 minutes. "I felt that they should have a full opportunity to discuss what they wished to discuss," he said as he left.

On the way into the morning session he was asked if it was a conflict of interest for him to attend a meeting that would set the ground rules for a leadership contest in which he was a candidate.

He replied that he was attending to ensure that the process "was democratic for whoever was involved" in a leadership race.

In her statement, Olfert said the executive’s recommendations "mandate a fair process" and emphasize "a clear separation" between party and government activities by the candidates.

"As such, as is always the case, we would reiterate and make clear that absolutely no taxpayer dollars will be used for any party or leadership purposes," she said.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Ex-cabinet minister Theresa Oswald appears to be the main opposition to Premier Greg Selinger.

Olfert said the "broad framework" of the executive’s recommendations focus on timelines and specific rules around the selling of memberships, the nomination process and "governance."

"Those recommendations will be brought forward to the next meeting of the (NDP) Provincial Council (Dec. 6) and it would be premature to release specific details before then," she said.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca