The suspense surrounding whether A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will support the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) no-confidence motion against government is over as the coalition has answered with a resounding yes.
“We received a letter dated August 1st from the AFC signalling their intent of the motion and asking for our support…the shadow cabinet met today and we are in full support … so ‘Yes’,” APNU Leader David Granger told Stabroek News tonight.
Granger said that the motion was discussed in detail with shadow cabinet members and the decision made. However he explained that since APNU was made up of other parties they will soon be meeting those partners to discuss the decision but was sure that those groups would also agree.
Further, he said that plans are on stream to meet with the AFC to discuss the document and strategize.
The APNU leader said that while some have opined that his party was not ready for general elections he is confident that the combined opposition can ensure a change in government where the PPP/C will not regain the presidency.
The AFC drive for the motion of no-confidence was precipitated by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh’s spending of $4.5B which had not been cleared by the National Assembly.
Article 106(6) of the constitution states that “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence”. New elections would then have to be held in three months.
It is unclear how soon the AFC will table the motion for debate. Parliament is scheduled to go into its August recess next week.