Donald Ramotar was this afternoon sworn in as the country’s seventh executive president at State House.
In a brief address after the oath was administered President Ramotar said he will name his cabinet in 48 hours but that this should not hinder cooperation with political parties on other matters.
At several points during his address he recognized the new circumstances produced by the elections where for the first time since 1992 the PPP/C does not control Parliament.
He said it was now time to “cast aside the partisan cloak” and “put on national garb”. He “invited Guyanese from all our political parties and all or civic and religious groups” to engage in the further development of the country over the next five years.
He said with the new make-up of parliament, all sides have to work together. He said he knew it will not be easy but said he is prepared to work beyond the call of duty to ensure that the country did not regress.
“This new arrangement in our Parliament will no doubt test our maturity as political leaders”, Ramotar said.
Noting that presidential candidates of the parties had held brief discussions in Parliament on the day of the release of the official results, Ramotar said that these discussions will continue.
He said he believed that the various parties can work together will all other stakeholders for the betterment of the country. He pledged to use all of his energy and the influence of his office as president to make Guyana a better place.
Earlier in his address he expressed gratitude to outgoing President Bharrat Jagdeo who smiled broadly as he was recognised. President Ramotar said that Jagdeo had provided “exemplary service” to the country and that the nation was indebted to him for his “phenomenal” work.
He also thanked his wife Deolatchmee and his children, his comrades in the PPP/Civic, his extended family and the Essequibo River community of Caria Caria. He said he knew life was not easy for political families in the PPP and was therefore recognising all of the others.
