President explains rationale for deferring Parliament
Georgetown, GINA, December 17, 2011
Source - GINA
Deferral of the tenth Parliament this month was one of several issues agreed upon when representatives of the opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) met the President on December 15.
The rationale was explained by President Donald Ramotar during an interview with Editor-in-Chief of the National Communications Network (NCN) Michael Gordon today at the Office of the President.
He said the decision was based on a request by APNU which indicated that most of its members will be proceeding on vacation during the Christmas season. President Ramotar said he conceded to the request, quelling fears that he may capitalise on that opportunity to “spring the parliament on them” and elect his own speaker.
“I gave them the commitment that I will not do that and, if they want to go for the Christmas holidays they can so proceed … I will not convene the parliament in the month of December,” President Ramotar said.
During the discussions the President had with the political parties in which Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon and Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira participated, several issues were raised including a list of issues for discussion and prioritization for future meetings and two representatives nominated from APNU and AFC to work on identified and agreed on priority issues.
It was also agreed that the Minister of Finance will meet with the two identified finance persons of the APNU and AFC in the near future to consult on the preparation of the 2012 Budget.
The new Head of State had initiated the process of engaging the opposition parties in talks immediately after his installation to office on December 3.
At the onset of his journey to presidency, he had promised to leave the door open to the process of dialogue with the opposition. During today’s interview he described the meetings as most cordial and candid.
“The meetings have been very useful. We have been very frank with each other. I hope to proceed working in that way, in consulting with them in moving our country forward…,” President Ramotar said.
He acknowledged that there are differences in opinions and approaches to issues but assured that the goal of working in the interest of Guyana’s development must remain paramount.
Mr. Ramotar won the presidency at the 2011 general and regional elections held on November 28 after the PPP/C captured 48.6 percent of the votes and secured 32 seats in the National Assembly.
The opposition parties hold the majority of seats with APNU’s 26 and seven from the AFC.
Georgetown, GINA, December 17, 2011
Source - GINA
Deferral of the tenth Parliament this month was one of several issues agreed upon when representatives of the opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) met the President on December 15.
The rationale was explained by President Donald Ramotar during an interview with Editor-in-Chief of the National Communications Network (NCN) Michael Gordon today at the Office of the President.
He said the decision was based on a request by APNU which indicated that most of its members will be proceeding on vacation during the Christmas season. President Ramotar said he conceded to the request, quelling fears that he may capitalise on that opportunity to “spring the parliament on them” and elect his own speaker.
“I gave them the commitment that I will not do that and, if they want to go for the Christmas holidays they can so proceed … I will not convene the parliament in the month of December,” President Ramotar said.
During the discussions the President had with the political parties in which Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon and Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira participated, several issues were raised including a list of issues for discussion and prioritization for future meetings and two representatives nominated from APNU and AFC to work on identified and agreed on priority issues.
It was also agreed that the Minister of Finance will meet with the two identified finance persons of the APNU and AFC in the near future to consult on the preparation of the 2012 Budget.
The new Head of State had initiated the process of engaging the opposition parties in talks immediately after his installation to office on December 3.
At the onset of his journey to presidency, he had promised to leave the door open to the process of dialogue with the opposition. During today’s interview he described the meetings as most cordial and candid.
“The meetings have been very useful. We have been very frank with each other. I hope to proceed working in that way, in consulting with them in moving our country forward…,” President Ramotar said.
He acknowledged that there are differences in opinions and approaches to issues but assured that the goal of working in the interest of Guyana’s development must remain paramount.
Mr. Ramotar won the presidency at the 2011 general and regional elections held on November 28 after the PPP/C captured 48.6 percent of the votes and secured 32 seats in the National Assembly.
The opposition parties hold the majority of seats with APNU’s 26 and seven from the AFC.
