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Manitoba NDP interim leader’s move undemocratic, unprecedented: labour leader

Manitoba's interim NDP leader Flor Marcelino speaks to media after the provincial budget is read in the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Manitoba's opposition parties will spend much of their time in 2017 trying to find new leaders that can mend rifts, raise much-needed money and put together teams that might be more competitive in the next provincial election.
Manitoba's interim NDP leader Flor Marcelino speaks to media after the provincial budget is read in the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Manitoba's opposition parties will spend much of their time in 2017 trying to find new leaders that can mend rifts, raise much-needed money and put together teams that might be more competitive in the next provincial election. Manitoba's interim NDP leader Flor Marcelino speaks to media after the provincial budget is read in the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Manitoba's opposition parties will spend much of their time in 2017 trying to find new leaders that can mend rifts, raise much-needed money and put together teams that might be more competitive in the next provincial election

WINNIPEG — Manitoba labour leader Kevin Rebeck said a letter written by the NDP’s interim leader and its president is undemocratic and unprecedented.

A party committee recently laid out two options for a leadership vote in September.

The internal letter, obtained by The Canadian Press, touts the benefits of every party member getting a vote rather than sending delegates to the leadership convention.

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Rebeck, who is also on the NDP’s provincial council, said president Ovide Mercredi and interim leader Flor Marcelino are interfering in a decision that’s to be made at the party’s annual convention in March.

There has been infighting in the NDP since 2014, when five senior cabinet ministers openly challenged the leadership of then-premier Greg Selinger.

READ MORE: Premier announces new cabinet after 5 ministers resign

Selinger survived the coup, but stepped down as leader after the NDP lost last April’s provincial election to the Progessive Conservatives.

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Marcelino told party faithful last fall that factions in the party remain and some sort of conflict-resolution would be needed to heal the wounds.

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