by staff writer
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Jan 9, CMC – President David Granger Wednesday described his 75-minute discussion with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo as “a successful engagement” and has sought to re-assure the population that they are working towards a solution “which they will be satisfied with”.
Granger’s coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) collapsed on December 21 after a government back bencher, Charrandass Persaud sided with the motion of no confidence against the government by Jagdeo, to give the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) a 33-32 victory in the 65-member National Assembly.
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo (CMC Photo)
The PPP has since called on the government to name the date for fresh general elections which it says must be held before March this year.
In a brief statement, following the discussions, Granger said he would describe the deliberations as ‘ a successful engagement” adding “both the Leader of the Opposition and the president are concerned about the situation.
“We would like to assure the public in Guyana that we are working to a solution which they will be satisfied with. The public interest is our paramount concern,” he said.
Granger said that the meeting had discussed two main issues, namely the function of the National Assembly and the function of the government.
“Neither of these two important institutions, the legislative branch and the executive branch, could be allowed to fail. Public services have to be delivered…and therefore the two sides reach broad agreement on how these two institutions…will continue to function,” Granger said.
He said regarding general and regional elections, the government has had legal recourse to the courts in order to determine the validity of the votes cast in the National assembly during the motion of no confidence.
“This is quite legitimate and there is no intention on the part of the two parties to derail the constitutional or legislative process. We have agreed that the two sides will continue to work together, to engage GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) to ensure that elections are held within the administrative capabilities of the Guyana Elections Commission”.
As he emerged from the meeting Jagdeo told reporters that “it was a good meeting so far” and Attorney General Carl; Greenidge told reporters that the meeting was a win for everybody without elaborating.
A joint communique is expected to be issued later and Jagdeo
Meanwhile the Opposition Leader maintains call for fresh general elections
Jan 9, CMC – Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo Wednesday maintained his call for fresh regional and general elections in Guyana following talks with President David Granger on the way forward for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country following last December’s successful motion of no confidence that toppled the three and a
Jagdeo, speaking at a news conference following the talks said that his People’s
On December 21, then government backbencher, Charrandass Persaud sided with the motion of no confidence against the government filed by Jagdeo, giving the opposition a 33-32 victory in the 65-member National Assembly.
The PPP has since called on the government to name the date for fresh general elections which it says must be held before March this year.
Jagdeo told reporters that the PPP believes that the legislative arm of the Government has spoken definitively and he believes that immediately the Constitutional provisions should be applied.
“The fact that you go to Court now to seek a remedy does not change that”, Jagdeo said, in reference to the moves by the government to seek a High Court ruling declaring that Persad’s vote was null and void.
Jagdeo did not provide details on agreements reached with President Granger but said that elections have to be held before April 30 this year otherwise the government would be illegitimate.
He told the news conference that during the talks, the two sides agreed that to meet with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) regarding its readiness for the elections.
He said that the teams to the meeting will be headed by the two Chief Whips in the National Assembly, but gave no indication when the talks will take place.
In a statement following the talks, President Granger said the meeting with GECOM is ‘to ensure that elections are held within the administrative capabilities of the Guyana Elections Commission”.
Jagdeo said the coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) government, cannot behave as if it was business as usual with the regular work of the National Assembly and said he expressed that position to Granger.
He said PPP legislators would only attend sittings of the National Assembly when issues related to the elections are being discussed.
Jagdeo said that the PPP had requested the government withdraw its court challenges but received a blanket no from the President.
The two parties are expected to issue a joint communique later on Wednesday.
