2011 Elections…Ramotar leaves door open for shared governance

Dec 02, 2011 News

…will form Cabinet within days

“I would have liked to have a majority in Parliament but the electorate has spoken and we have to work with what we have.”

By Leonard Gildarie

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has returned to power, with 61-year-old Russian-trained economist, Donald Ramotar, being declared Guyana’s next Executive President at 16:20hrs yesterday, but they will have to rule under a minority government.
However, the party which has been in continuous power since 1992 is not ruling out reeling in one or both opposition parties to help govern the country.
This much was made clear by President-Elect Ramotar yesterday, shortly after it was officially announced by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that the incumbent PPP/C had amassed the largest bloc of votes in Monday’s General and Regional Elections.
The PPP/C has won 32 seats; A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) 26 seats, while the Alliance For Change (AFC) has gained two more seats over the 2006 elections to move to seven.
According to Ramotar, his campaign message had been one of inclusivity…a message he meant and which he stressed on the recent campaign trail. On his campaign posters, he had committed to “working together for a better tomorrow”.
“I have said that …I have meant it…I strongly believe it. I said I would be ready to discuss with them and that still stands.”
Immediately ringed by heavy security upon the announcement, the father of three did not delve into how far his party might be willing to go to extend the olive branch or whether it will include even conceding a few ministerial posts.
Speaking with reporters at Freedom House, the PPP’s headquarters on Robb Street, an elated Ramotar however expressed disappointment at his party not also grabbing more than 51% of the votes which would have allowed them the freedom to pass legislations and the National Budget in Parliament without having to depend on support from the opposition.
“I would have liked to have a majority in Parliament but the electorate has spoken and we have to work with what we have.”
Ramotar is intent on forming his Cabinet of Ministers and announcing Parliamentarians within days.
“I want to start working as soon as possible establish my Cabinet and Members of Parliament…to continue the work to build this country so we can move forward.”
Thanking his supporters, Ramotar who over the years has been involved in the sugar industry and the workers’ unions, disclosed that he will be convening a meeting with his party’s Executives very soon “so we can move on with the work of the country.”
“I wish to thank our supporters for the hard work that they did in the period. I appreciate this deeply and would try to work very hard to reach their expectations and confidence that they have placed in me.”
Meanwhile, Ramotar’s running mate, Samuel Hinds, who will continue as the country’s Prime Minister under the new administration, also did not rule out working with the opposition to carry out the country’s programmes.
With the 2012 National Budget due in about eight weeks or so, the party would be more than keen to have support.
Hinds admitted that his party had fallen short.
“We would have liked to have done better and have a clear majority in Parliament. But we are prepared to work with the other parties for the benefit of the nation. I also think that we would want to get the work of the nation started as early as possible.”
According to observers, most political parties prefer a Parliamentary majority without the bother of being dependent on the opposition for support.
It will mean that the ruling administration, short of a concrete agreement of shared governance with either the AFC or APNU or both, will have to face challenges in passing laws or even see money being released from the Treasury for the running of the country.
At Freedom House, it was tears mixed with disappointment as the hugs were shared and phone-calls of congratulations came in – tears that the party has not lost and disappointment of failing to secure enough votes to control Parliament.
Ramotar’s sons, Alexei and Alvaro, were among the senior officials, including former Ministers, there to congratulate him.
Around Freedom House, the security was tight as Ramotar left for a meeting.