After a week of trading blame for the breakdown in the negotiations on a possible coalition between A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) ahead of the September 1 Elections – the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), which is the major party in the APNU – remains optimistic that a coalition is still possible.
During a press conference at Congress Place today, PNCR Executive, Ganesh Mahipaul said the APNU has not closed the doors to negotiations with the AFC. Talks broke down in April after the two sides failed to reach a consensus.
“My party, the People’s National Congress Reform, which is the largest stakeholder in the APNU+AFC Coalition has not shut the doors on negotiations. I am still optimistic that we can find common ground but what I am absolutely certain about is the Presidential Candidate will be Aubrey Compton Norton from the People’s National Congress Reform and I firmly believe that he will be the next President of Guyana,” Mahipaul said.
There have been disagreements over who should be the Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates and the Representative of the List of Candidates. Additionally, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement the ratio that would cover appointments to various positions should they win the elections.
The AFC initially demanded a 65% share of all positions, but later reduced that to 55%. The APNU has said the ratio should be 70:30 in favour of the APNU.
With the deadline for the submission of symbols by political parties to Guyana Elections Commission fast approaching, the APNU and AFC have approximately one week to decide their future. Nomination Day is set for July 14.
Mahipaul said at this stage anything is possible.
“What I know there is a deadline that GECOM has for the submission of symbols and after that deadline for the submission of symbols, there is also a deadline for nominations, and that is the period I think we have… And what I have learnt over the years, is what seems to be far from achieving can be achieved with just the click of a figure. So, it may look like it is in the distance right now, but maybe as soon as I come off this press conference it can be achieved. Let’s wait and see how that goes. The date for submission of the symbol is important, and the date for nomination is equally important in knowing whether it will be an APNU+AFC or whether it will be APNU,” he said.
Mahipaul said in the interim, the APNU is in talks with other opposition political parties and individuals, and the responses have been overwhelming. According to him, the APNU will be making some important announcements soon.
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