Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday said that following the passage of a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, the APNU+AFC government has “diminished authority” and can only function as a caretaker government until such time as General and Regional Elections are held.
“The framers of our constitution intended…to ensure government acts only in a caretaker fashion in the period allowed by Article 106 (7). Normal duties come to a halt with the exception of those relating to functioning of government because you can’t have a vacuum in government,” Jagdeo said at a press conference yesterday.
On Friday, a motion of no-confidence in the David Granger-led government was carried 33 to 32 in the National Assembly after government MP Charrandas Persaud defected and voted with the Opposition PPP/C. Jagdeo yesterday indicated that he has since received official communication from Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs confirming the vote and has been contacted by President David Granger through Minister of State Joseph Harmon, on the way forward.