‘No confidence motion is not a one day affair; could be a Soap Opera’ – Dr Luncheon
Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon says Government is not ruling out the possibility of calling snap elections before the combined political Opposition tables a no confidence motion against the government.
“Nothing is impossible, nothing is impossible”, he responded when questioned by reporters at a post cabinet press briefing today whether it would be more strategic to make this move and not wait on the Opposition.
Dr Luncheon, who is also Head of the Presidential Secretariat, assured that government will not go down without a fight, as he explained that there is several “process” that needs to be adhered to before the tabling of the motion.
His response came following the revelation by the main Opposition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) that it will support the motion, spearheaded by the minority political party – the Alliance for Change [AFC].
For weeks, the APNU had been iffy about its support of the motion. If tabled and passed in the National Assembly, the Donald Ramotar led administration will have to resign and prepare for general elections in three months.
Dr Luncheon explained to reporters that the motion will have to firstly be introduced, debated and then the Speaker will rule.
“It is for the motion to be introduced, for the Speaker to rule and then kicking in would be the decision making on these issues…and this has to do with timing the exigencies, you have a recess, you have a process for consideration of a no confidence motion.
“It is not intended to be a one day affair…the process will entail delving into the constitution, standing orders, the law, agreements among the political parties on the way forward.”
He questioned how a no confidence motion is dealt with in the House.
“The debate and the points that are made and the points that are not made and who said what; I don’t mind having a soap opera behind the whole issues, the whole process evolving to its fullest before a decision is made,” Dr Luncheon said.
He is confident that the ruling party will win the majority “for the local and or general elections” at any point.
