Opposition still haggling on Speaker imbroglio

Jan 11, 2012 News

…continued division could see Ramkarran’s return

By Gary Eleazar

One day before the 10th Parliament is convened by Head of State Donald Ramotar, the Opposition Parties, namely the Alliance for Change and A Partnership for National Unity, will today meet in a last-ditch effort to iron out who will hold the position of Speaker of the House.
The Speaker is decided on with a simple majority in Parliament, but even with the combined opposition holding sway, they are yet to agree on a final position.
When contacted yesterday Presidential Candidate of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, says that they maintain in principle that that party’s nominee should hold the position for the first term.
The idea of terms for speaker arose as the imbroglio continued and APNU floated the idea of a rotational arrangement.
According to Ramjattan, the AFC is maintaining in principle that its nominee Moses Nagamootoo hold the position for the first term.
Prime Ministerial Candidate for APNU, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine in an invited comment yesterday said that the two parties are scheduled to meet today to iron out the issue and as such he did not want to preempt the outcome of that meeting.
Should the two parties not find consensus on a Speaker then it is very likely that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C)’s proposal for Ralph Ramkarran, could very well see his return to that position.
Ramkarran served as Speaker of the ninth Parliament and from all accounts commanded the respect of both sides of the House.
APNU’s proposal for Speaker of the House is former MP and Chairman of the People’s Congress Reform Bishwaishwar ‘Cammie’ Ramsaroop while there has been ardent support for Deborah Backer.
Backer served in the ninth Parliament as a MP and held the portfolio of Shadow Home Affairs Minister.
There have also been suggestions in some circles that Raphael Trotman, the Leader of the AFC, should hold the position of Speaker of the House.
During a recent media briefing, Annette Ferguson of APNU, 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, however, 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 asserted.
According to Dr. Roopnaraine, the Constitution of Guyana does not preclude that a Speaker be appointed and then another be appointed, allowing for a rotational basis.