WHAT was birthed as an idea to remove the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) from power has now reached an “intense” stage, as the pre-elections coalition talks between the main Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) continue. 

At his weekly press conference at the office of the Leader of the Opposition, APNU leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger yesterday assured the media that both the APNU and AFC are of the firm belief that a “pre-elections coalition” is the “best way to remove the PPP” from power.
“We believe that combined action in the form of a pre-elections coalition is the best way to remove the PPP,” the Opposition Leader reiterated yesterday.
However, against the backdrop of the AFC expressing intent to “lead” what they described as a “pro-democracy alliance,” Granger noted that his fate of gaining the presidency if the “pre-elections coalition” is to be formed, is in the hands of APNU negotiators.
The Opposition Leader continued: “APNU’s negotiating team is aware of my commitment towards establishing a pre-elections coalition in the national interest,” while adding that as far as his personal involvement is concerned, his gaining the presidential candidacy is “not a matter of interest right now.”
He further noted that the national interest is the people’s concern and that is what the coalition talks are aiming at. “Guyana must have a good government and a government that enjoys the confidence of a majority of the people,” he said.
When questioned on whether he believes he could “sell” the idea of giving up the presidential candidacy to his constituency, Granger was quick to disclose that as of yesterday, the matter had not arisen.
Pressed with the same question but in a different fashion, as to whether he believes he could sell the idea if the issue arises out of the coalition talks, the Opposition Leader said that he will not “speculate.”
“As of today, the matter has not arisen, the teams are in discussions and the matter of surrendering any position has not arisen. As I said, we’re aiming at forming a pre-elections coalition,” he concluded.