By Vanessa Narine
IN exchanging views on the procedures of the National Assembly in Guyana and Suriname, discussions between Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) and the visiting Surinamese Parliamentary delegation homed in on the possibility of a coalition government and governance challenges, among other issues.

Opposition Leader and leader of the coalition grouping A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Mr. David Granger, welcomed the Suriname National Assembly Speaker Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and her delegation to a meeting in the Committee Room of the Public Buildings on Friday last, and explained the make-up of the National Assembly, APNU holding 26 seats and the Alliance For Change (AFC) holding seven, giving the combined Opposition a majority in Parliament.
Senior AFC member Moses Nagamootoo, representing that party, acknowledged the importance of the Surinamese Delegation’s visit and the countries’ engagement, a fact with which Granger agreed in pointing out that both parties stand to learn much from each other.

POSSIBILITY OF COALITION
The APNU leader added that Guyana’s governance model is fundamentally different, in that it is a “winner-take-all” system.
Dr. Geerling-Simons, noting the composition of Guyana’s Assembly, questioned the possibility for coalition, whereupon Granger explained that while the APNU is a coalition of five parties, political parties in Guyana have to form a coalition before going into general elections, as this cannot be done after elections for the purpose of assuming the presidency. However, he said that in this regard, Guyana could learn from the Suriname governance model.
Suriname’s Parliament is made up of 51 seats taken by members of nine political parties. While the people of Suriname vote the representatives of the political parties into power, it is the Parliamentarians who vote to select a President and Vice President, among other officials for senior posts.
The Surinamese Speaker explained that in Parliament, coalitions are formed among parties to support a candidate for the Presidency and other positions. However, she noted, there is no official Opposition in the House, only members that either support or disapprove issues coming before the Parliament.
Granger related that the possibility of a coalition is not an idea accepted by the Government.
He explained that it is possible for the winning party to invite members from other political parties represented in Parliament to function in ministerial capacities, but this is not done.
Nagamootoo added that Guyana’s Constitution creates a situation for a minority Government, as the party with the most seats, assuming the presidency, as currently obtains, where the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has 32 seats and the combined Opposition holds 33 seats.
“This is gridlock, and it is the problem we have,” he said, explaining that while the combined Opposition passes bills in the House, the President still has to assent to it, a process that is sometimes delayed.
The AFC MP referenced the issue of local government elections and the fact that while the bills were recently passed, there still has been no move to host elections, since the bills have yet to be assented to, something that is supposed to happen within 21 days of their passage, as mandated by the Constitution.
Nagamootoo explained that the explanation proffered is that there are problems with the language of the legislation, and he said the documents are with the Attorney General’s (AG) Office for review.
Dr. Geerlings-Simons’ response was that Suriname also has its challenges, but she stressed that these challenges are opportunities to strengthen the country’s legislation.

CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE
The AFC MP termed the current political situation in Guyana a “crisis of governance”, since there is a “collision between the Executive and Parliament” – different arms of Government.
The Surinamese Speaker said Suriname has also faced this challenge, but she reiterated that these are opportunities to advance changes to improve the system of governance.
Nagamootoo maintained that the system is being “manipulated”, something that is clearly evidenced in the fact that there have been calls for a Budget Office in Parliament, which has not been supported by Government; the absence of a legal draftsperson to address problems with the language of legislation, something that is currently done by the AG’s Office, and can take months to be completed; and the recent court cases in which Parliamentary decisions such as budget cuts are challenged in the courts.
Dr. Geerling-Simons explained that the courts in Suriname do not entertain any challenge to the decisions of Parliament.
The APNU Leader explained to the Suriname delegation that the decision of Parliament can be challenged in the courts, since the courts of Guyana are charged with interpreting the Constitution, and if there are grounds, a case can be made.
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Ms. Deborah Backer, added that there have been some instances wherein challenges were thrown out. She added that, at present, the best way forward for Guyana is to adopt a system of government that is less confrontational and more inclusive.
Granger echoed that sentiment, and explained that this is an era of inclusive democracy, and there is no need for a “winner-take-all” situation. Rather, the interest of the Guyanese people can best be served by employing all the skills and talents that are represented in the National Assembly. “We are not confident that one party can address all the issues,” he said.
Backer noted that if, in 2016, the APNU assumes the presidency, that approach would be employed by the coalition.
Dr. Geerlings-Simons said changes will take time, and stressed the benefits of a non-confrontational approach. However, she acknowledged that this is not a challenge that is unique to Guyana, but one that is found elsewhere, including in Suriname.
The Surinamese Parliamentary Speaker related that, in Suriname, political parties were initially ethnic-based groups, but there has been a paradigm shift in the approach of the politicians, who recognise that much more can be accomplished if an inclusionary approach is taken.
She said this is a process that takes time.

A MATTER OF TRUST
The Opposition MPs agreed with this, and also recognised that an impediment to a new approach is the underlying issue of trust.
Granger noted that one opportunity for cooperation is the development of the Budget, and he explained that the Opposition has called for establishment of a tripartite budget committee, a move that would avoid the difference of opinions on allocations when the Budget eventually comes to the House.
“We are not a destructive opposition…it is not in our interest to prevent the Government from functioning,” he said.
Backer acknowledged that preparing the budget is a role of the Government’s, and is their demonstration of commitment to the Guyanese people’s welfare; but she stated that at least some of the Opposition’s concerns and views should be taken into consideration.
Nagamootoo told the Surinamese delegation that the non-recognition of the Opposition’s views is not acceptable.
He related that, in the last discussions on matters of finance, the Opposition was told, “It is not your business!” and moved forward on the said matters.
Dr. Geerling-Simons made clear that such a statement could not be made in the Surinamese Parliament.
The Deputy Speaker posited that, in her view, the challenge that faces the governing party is that they are stuck in the pre-2011 election period, when the party held the majority in the House.
Granger said that for change to be advanced, there must be trust, backed by a strong political will.
The Surinamese Speaker acknowledged that every country’s Parliament, at one point or the other, faces its own challenges; and she said that, more often than not, these are not unique challenges, and they can be used as opportunities for change.
Change, she added, is not a simple process; it takes time.
At the end of the exchange, both the Surinamese delegation and the Opposition MPs expressed appreciation at having had the opportunity to exchange views.
That meeting was the last which Dr. Geerling-Simons and her delegation, had during their three-day visit with Guyana’s political parties.