Guyana’s two main opposition groups, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) will commence talks and negotiations before weekend for a possible pro-democracy alliance.
“Today we elected a team of negotiators to enter talks with the AFC to formalise a plan for a pre-election coalition so we get a government of national unity,” leader of APNU David Granger told Stabroek News last evening.
“Before weekend or possibly by the day after tomorrow, those talks will commence,” he further added.
Granger’s announcement came simultaneously with President Donald Ramotar’s naming of Monday, May 11th as the day for general and regional elections.
In early December, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan had stated that the AFC is prepared to lead a pro-democracy alliance of progressive forces, inclusive of the opposition coalition APNU, to remove the PPP/C government from office.
Ramjattan had also indicated that the “progressive forces” should comprise of civic groups, unions, and political forces, including even disaffected PPP leaders and members.
He had further emphasised that the AFC must lead this alliance.
The announcement signalled a major shift in the party’s position on an electoral pact as it had expressed opposition to any coalition with APNU. Among other reasons, AFC members had cited a desire to keep the party’s identity and support base.
While Granger pointed out that specifics of the negotiations are bound by a non-disclosure agreement set by the two sides, he informed that he was pleased that there could be a possible coalition formed to oust the current PPP/C administration at elections.
“I would be happy to conclude to have a united front. A strong team will replace the PPP,” he said.
Meanwhile, PPP General Secre-tary Clement Rohee has said that his party is waiting to see what comes out of the engagements between APNU and AFC.
“We don’t want to anticipate or speculate; let’s see what comes out of that process. We are building our own alliances; we have always done that prior to 1992 and we are proceeding full speed ahead in that respect,” Rohee said.
Many observers believe that an AFC and APNU coalition could claim office from the incumbent PPP/C, which lost the majority for the first time at the last general elections in 2011, although it retained the presidency.
