The governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday emphasised its “full commitment” to engaging in meaningful dialogue with the political opposition to country forward, but also announced that it is ready for general elections.
“With regards to the current political situation, we believe that the opposition has a responsibility to its constituents and Guyana to so engage,” the party said in a statement issued last night.
It also said dialogue should not be confined to just the reconvening of the 10th Parliament—which the parliamentary opposition APNU and the AFC have demanded as a prerequisite for any engagement with the administration—but must include other issues of national importance in an effort to derive solutions on the way forward. “The people of Guyana deserve nothing less at this time of unprecedented prosperity,” the party said.
The statement appeared to be in response to the opposition’s position in light of President Donald Ramotar’s prorogation of the Parliament.
The PPP said the opposition’s “inflexible position” is most unfortunate and smacks of irresponsibility, especially at a time when the political situation requires political maturity and statesmanship on the part of the political parties.
“Our Party can only hope that the Opposition will swiftly come to the realisation that dialogue is the most sensible and appropriate mechanism to achieve the reconvening of the 10th Parliament,” it said, having noted that it has always ensured that its doors remain open to accommodate dialogue.
At the same time, the party said while it continues to advocate for meaningful dialogue, it wishes to remind that it is prepared for general elections. “This position is nothing new given the frequency with which it has been articulated. We believe that by reminding about this, it puts to rest the opposition’s claim that proroguing of Parliament was premised on the PPP buying time,” it added.
