–plans to discuss GECOM, other issues

MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon has confirmed that President David Granger has agreed to meet with Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo in January to discuss the way forward following the no-confidence vote last Friday.

Jagdeo had approached Harmon to arrange a meeting with the president after the Alliance for Change (AFC)’s Charrandas Persaud, in an unexpected move, voted in support of the opposition-led motion.

Minister Harmon, in a Letter of Reply to Jagdeo’s request, said President Granger has acknowledged the request and advised that the opposition leader be prepared for a meeting in early January.

“The President departs for Cuba on December 25, 2018 for a follow-up visit on the regime of medical treatment for his health condition. On his return, a precise date and time for the meeting will be communicated to you,” the minister of state said in his letter.

The opposition leader said he intends using the opportunity to discuss where the country will go from here, in the wake of last Friday’s turn of events. “Given that after the motion is passed,” Jagdeo said Monday, “elections are expected within 90 days.

NEED TO TALK
“We need to talk about this period, and a conduct that does not polarise our country and what happens in the future,” he said, adding that he is also prepared to talk about what happens in the post-elections period, which would result in a new government either controlled by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) or the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

He believes that the PPP/C should not be triumphalist about the motion, because it would disrupt the festive season.

One day after the vote, President Granger assured the nation that his administration will abide by the Constitution. The president said his government will embark on discussions with its coalition partners, the AFC and APNU, as it charts a way forward.
“We will do everything necessary to facilitate the smooth functioning of General and Regional Elections, bearing in mind the need for normal governmental functions to continue uninterrupted,” President Granger was quoted as saying.

Article 106 (7) of the Constitution of Guyana states, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the government shall remain in office, and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution, supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly, determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the elections.”

CARETAKER MODE
Jagdeo, in his interpretation of Article 106 (7), said it was to determine the behaviour of the government which is expected to act in a “caretaker fashion” until the elections.