APNU willing to rotate House Speaker with AFC

Jan 06, 2012 News

Even as uncertainty lingers on the identification of a Speaker of the National Assembly for Guyana’s

MOSES NAGAMOOTOO

10th Parliament, A Party for National Unity (APNU) is certainly not opposed to having the position rotated between opposition parties.
Although the opposition parties compromising of the APNU and Alliance for Change (AFC) together have been able to secure a parliamentary majority and have promised to work together, consensus on a speaker continues to elude them.
This however could soon change as Annette Ferguson of APNU has informed of the party’s disposition towards allowing for a rotational arrangement.
Ferguson told media operatives that the party has taken note of the expressions of concern among the people over the protracted negotiations between APNU and the AFC on the issue of the Speaker of the House.
APNU is looking to secure the position for the first tenure with the AFC nominee holding the position for the second term.
“APNU is favourably disposed to the two parties holding the speakership on a rotational basis with APNU holding the position for the first term,” she told media operatives yesterday.
According to the APNU’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, the Constitution of Guyana does not preclude that a Speaker be appointed and then another be appointed, allowing for a rotational basis.
Ferguson did point out that APNU is exercising care to avoid jeopardizing the on-going negotiations with AFC by any premature public disclosure of their details but said that they find it “important to clear the air”
She noted also that the APNU/AFC talks cover a wide range of issues beyond that of the speakership.
“There is substantial agreement and close convergence of positions between the two parties on several other issues, including the strengthening of the various parliamentary bodies, as well as on the economic and governance issues facing the nation….Discussions have been forthright but always conducted in an atmosphere of cordiality and mutual respect.”

DEBORAH BACKER

Ferguson did point out that APNU will continue to discuss the issue of the speakership as part of a larger menu of issues where the two parties can reach agreement.
Ferguson also hinted at APNU’s predisposition to share in the Parliamentary structure outside of the National Assembly, saying that it will continue to show, “a willingness to support the AFC to attain the Chairmanship of important Parliamentary Committees and the Chairmanship of RDCs (where the AFC has a plurality) and of committees of the RDCs.”
She noted too that should the parties fail to find agreement on the candidates proposed thus far for Speaker of the House, then it suggests that a consensus candidate from outside the ranks of the parties be considered.
The AFC has to date signaled an intention to have either crossover Candidate Moses Nagamootoo or party Leader Raphael Trotman hold the position, while APNU has proposed Deborah Backer or party Chairman Bishwaishwar ‘Cammie’ Ramsaroop.