PPP/C says Tripartite Initiative undermined by opposition parties PDF Print E-mail
Written by Chevon Singh
Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:29
THE sidestepping of the Tripartite initiative and the agreement therein, by the opposition parties to negotiate with regard to speakership and other matters “flies in the face “of the agreement, and deliberately undermines the approach that was agreed upon in December, 2011, by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).
Presidential Adviser on Governance, Gail Teixeira, made this declaration yesterday during the weekly post cabinet press briefing, at the Office of the President, where she expressed Cabinet’s view, that there has been a serious breach of the Tripartite Initiative. [PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR]
She explained: “It is our view that this has been a serious breach, even before the convening of the Parliament, the fact that the combined opposition has only a one-seat difference with the government, should not be construed as a ‘carte blanche’ to run the National Assembly to the detriment of an elected government and the people of this nation.”
According to Teixeira, Cabinet has also taken note of the actions of the two parties, as it relates to their discussion over the selection of a Speaker and other issues, in the face of their declared pronouncements during the election campaign of bringing in a new political culture and a willingness to work towards national unity.
This objective, she emphasised, has been undermined by the opposition parties’ recent actions.
[DAVID GRANGER] “Mr. Granger in particular stated that they were willing to work with the PPP/C, win or lose,” she added.
The Presidential Adviser pointed out that, the government had written on Monday to the AFC and APNU, reminding them of their agreement that was reached in December, to name representatives to the Tripartite Initiative and to reaffirm the government’s interest in meeting.
She noted too that there has been no discussion to date on the 2012 national budget, since the opposition parties have also failed to name their representatives.
She explained: “There have been no talks yet, on budget preparations, based on the agreement that we made the opposition parties were asked to name their representatives, or “finance experts” who will meet with Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh. I am not aware that they have named anyone as yet, so there has been no discussion as yet.”
Teixeira also said that while the PPP/C recognises that the issue of speakership is certainly of importance, the business of the nation, economic growth, political stability, and the continuation of the pro- growth programmes, particularly the continuation and expansion of the poverty reduction programme remain the greatest priority to the government, at this time.
Agreement Made
At his inauguration President Donald Ramotar had said the new arrangement in Parliament would test the maturity of political leaders and will demand that the nation’s well-being not be sacrificed on the altar of pettiness.
[KHEMRAJ RAMJATTAN] Shortly after the announcement of the election results, the leaders of the parties in Parliament, at the invitation of President Ramotar, met at the Office of the President for discussions and the selection of the Speaker was chief among the issues raised.
Following the 2011 General and Regional Elections, the PPP/C obtained 32 seats in the National Assembly, APNU 26 and the AFC 7 seats.
For the first time in its history, Guyana has a minority government; this means that the PPP/C in the election had enough votes to win the right to govern the country, but cannot pass laws in Parliament without the support of the opposition.
Since the passage of laws usually requires a minimum of 51 per cent of votes in that mechanism, it means that the government (PPP/C) – since it needs to execute policy within the confines of the law, and since some laws do need to be changed from time to time – needs the opposition (AFC) and APNU) to agree to its plans and legislate accordingly.
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
Written by Chevon Singh
Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:29
THE sidestepping of the Tripartite initiative and the agreement therein, by the opposition parties to negotiate with regard to speakership and other matters “flies in the face “of the agreement, and deliberately undermines the approach that was agreed upon in December, 2011, by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).
Presidential Adviser on Governance, Gail Teixeira, made this declaration yesterday during the weekly post cabinet press briefing, at the Office of the President, where she expressed Cabinet’s view, that there has been a serious breach of the Tripartite Initiative. [PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR]
She explained: “It is our view that this has been a serious breach, even before the convening of the Parliament, the fact that the combined opposition has only a one-seat difference with the government, should not be construed as a ‘carte blanche’ to run the National Assembly to the detriment of an elected government and the people of this nation.”
According to Teixeira, Cabinet has also taken note of the actions of the two parties, as it relates to their discussion over the selection of a Speaker and other issues, in the face of their declared pronouncements during the election campaign of bringing in a new political culture and a willingness to work towards national unity.
This objective, she emphasised, has been undermined by the opposition parties’ recent actions.
[DAVID GRANGER] “Mr. Granger in particular stated that they were willing to work with the PPP/C, win or lose,” she added.
The Presidential Adviser pointed out that, the government had written on Monday to the AFC and APNU, reminding them of their agreement that was reached in December, to name representatives to the Tripartite Initiative and to reaffirm the government’s interest in meeting.
She noted too that there has been no discussion to date on the 2012 national budget, since the opposition parties have also failed to name their representatives.
She explained: “There have been no talks yet, on budget preparations, based on the agreement that we made the opposition parties were asked to name their representatives, or “finance experts” who will meet with Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh. I am not aware that they have named anyone as yet, so there has been no discussion as yet.”
Teixeira also said that while the PPP/C recognises that the issue of speakership is certainly of importance, the business of the nation, economic growth, political stability, and the continuation of the pro- growth programmes, particularly the continuation and expansion of the poverty reduction programme remain the greatest priority to the government, at this time.
Agreement Made
At his inauguration President Donald Ramotar had said the new arrangement in Parliament would test the maturity of political leaders and will demand that the nation’s well-being not be sacrificed on the altar of pettiness.
[KHEMRAJ RAMJATTAN] Shortly after the announcement of the election results, the leaders of the parties in Parliament, at the invitation of President Ramotar, met at the Office of the President for discussions and the selection of the Speaker was chief among the issues raised.
Following the 2011 General and Regional Elections, the PPP/C obtained 32 seats in the National Assembly, APNU 26 and the AFC 7 seats.
For the first time in its history, Guyana has a minority government; this means that the PPP/C in the election had enough votes to win the right to govern the country, but cannot pass laws in Parliament without the support of the opposition.
Since the passage of laws usually requires a minimum of 51 per cent of votes in that mechanism, it means that the government (PPP/C) – since it needs to execute policy within the confines of the law, and since some laws do need to be changed from time to time – needs the opposition (AFC) and APNU) to agree to its plans and legislate accordingly.
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
