When the Guyanese people went to the polls, on November 28 last year,  nobody would have thought that the results would have led to a situation that produced a minority government for the first time in the history of this country.
Although the results showed a clear winner in the PPP/C for the presidency, that party did not manage to garner enough seats to form a majority government. This has opened the way for the two opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity(APNU), a grouping headed by the PNC and the Alliance for Change(AFC) with 26 and 7 seats respectively, to have a greater say in the National Assembly in matters that may affect the nation.
It will therefore be interesting to see how these two parties would adapt to such a situation in the opening weeks of the new parliament as matters  pertaining to putting country first and nation-building unfold. But from observations so far, it would seem as if these two opposition parties would differ in their approach to most matters that would engage the attention of parliament.
It is as clear as daylight that APNU would  make use of the ramrod  approach in its attempts  at getting attention  to its calls and aspirations.
This was already evident in the days following the last elections when the population was thrown into a state of terror by APNU- orchestrated demonstrations which rocked the streets of Georgetown and were beginning to have a telling effect on the business sector.
While  APNU was actively engaging in machinations inimical to national development, national unity and peace, President Donald Ramotar went ahead and announced his cabinet, and work was started in earnest for the building of a brighter future for all the people of this country.
With parliament expected to be convened in a matter of days, the first major test for all the parties in the House would be the appointment of a Speaker which would be done by consensual agreement. 
This will indeed be the first real test of the various players  from the PPP, APNU and AFC -of their seriousness and commitment towards working in unison for the further development of this country.
The three principal  candidates for the position of Speaker of the National Assembly are former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran of the ruling PPP/C, Deborah Backer of  APNU, and Moses Nagamootoo of the AFC.
None could doubt the ability of any of the three candidates to conduct the business of the House – all of them being Attorneys-at-Law, with Ralph Ramkarran being Senior Counsel. It should be also noted that Mr. Ralph Ramkarran has been the Speaker of the House for the last 19 years.
However, because of the manner in which the current House is constituted with the combined opposition having one seat more than the governing party, we currently have a situation where each party is seemingly bent on sticking to its candidate.
It should be recalled that since he was sworn into office as the Chief Executive, from day one, President Donald Ramotar had expressed his desire for discussions and dialogue with the other parties in the House in the interest of nation-building, which simply translates into putting country first.
However, if the three parties fail to reach consensual agreement on the selection of the Speaker, then the vote will be taken. When this happens, the ruling party’s candidate could win out if the AFC abstains or refuses to support  APNU, and this should not be ruled out.
It should be remembered that APNU’s street demonstrations and mouthing on the heels of the November 28 polls were stoutly condemned by the AFC’s presidential candidate, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan who opted for discussions rather than confrontation.
The nation is waiting in expectation of seeing their leaders behaving and acting responsibly  and in a mature manner, so that together, as one people, we could move with confidence in our resolve to further build this country.
President Ramotar has already started the process with his discussions with leaders of the opposition and other interest groups. This, of course, is a process which would require the support of all and sundry.
The first weeks of the new parliament would be very critical and Guyanese would be required to be on guard for those leaders who  have the propensity for encouraging activities that are  contra to nation building, throwing the “putting country first” notion through the back door.