“I have acted within the Constitution, legally and democratically. The accusation that this (prorogation) is creating a dictatorship, or semi-dictatorship, doesn’t give me new authority that would turn me into a dictator. This (untruth) was designed to fool the gullible. I cannot rule by decree, I cannot pass laws by myself, if I could have done I would have passed all these laws that I find important.”

These were the sentiments of President Donald Ramotar, as he debunked the many “misconceptions” he contends are being peddled by Opposition factions.
At a news conference on Friday, the Head of State emphasised that his decision to prorogue Parliament last Monday was done in the best interest of Guyana and the Guyanese people, not to arm himself with additional powers – an act that is impossible through prorogation in any event.
“It makes no sense, prorogation gives me no additional powers…I have no new powers,” he said.
His decision was carried out by way of a prorogation proclamation, which essentially means that the current session, is suspended up to a maximum of six months – a move that is provided for in Section 70 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution.
Mr. Ramotar also debunked the criticisms that he has created a constitutional crisis. “I could not create a constitutional crisis if I acted within the Constitution,” he said.
According to the Head of State the move to prorogation was intended to pave the way for greater dialogue among political parties, while keeping the 10th Parliament alive.
However, the combined Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity and the AFC have since closed the door to any possibly of dialogue.
Despite this, Mr. Ramotar, as well as the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, have since indicated that they are still optimistic that this position will change, terming it a “first” reaction.
Noteworthy too is the fact that the President Ramotar has said that if talks fail with the combined Opposition, he will not hesitate to move to early general elections, since he has no intention of re-proroguing Parliament.
The President has been clear on his course of action, if dialogue is to fail.
He said: “I have taken this step with the hope that the time gained would be used for the benefit of our people….were these entreaties of cooperation by my Government to be unsuccessful, I would then take the necessary steps for the holding of early General Elections so that the democratic will of our people can be freely exercised.
“…my motivation to get some kind of agreement moving forward…what I have done in a way is to take everyone off the hook, wipe the slate clean and have a possibility of going forward again…if we can’t then election is it.”
The last general elections were held in Guyana on November 28, 2011.