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APNU reiterates Granger’s position as presidential candidate
– outcome of APNU/AFC talks could decide alternative moves
Putting to rest any confusion as to who will be the A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) presidential candidate, the political body’s Communication Director Mark Archer has reaffirmed that Brigadier (Ret.) David Granger will lead them to the polls.
In light of ongoing talks with the Alliance for Change’s (AFC) executive on a possible “pre-elections coalition” and utterances suggesting that that party might lead any possible union, some form of confusion has surfaced, especially among AFC and APNU supporters.
However, Archer told Kaieteur News yesterday APNU is in full campaign mode and is working under the leadership of Brigadier Granger. He said that as far as the coalition is concerned, APNU’s campaign revolves around Granger.
Archer confirmed, however, that talks are ongoing with the AFC about a “pre-elections coalition”. The Communication Director said that while he is not in the negotiation team, he is aware that the conclusion of those talks could result in a possible change in APNU’s campaign direction. In the meantime, the APNU spokesperson said that the coalition has just over 100 days left before the stated election date and they are in APNU campaign mode.
It was recently reported by a local online news site that APNU would consider the proposals for AFC to hold top posts in the Pro-Democracy Alliance. In response, Archer was adamant that no such statement had come from the APNU and it would be premature to make such statements since the two sides are still in discussion.
A press release some three days ago from the APNU spokesperson said that relating to the issue, Brigadier (Ret.) Granger had stated that “APNU has empowered its negotiating team to explore all possibilities that could lead to a pre-elections coalition; and it would be premature for me to respond to that question (of AFC holding top positions) because all the matters that seemed to be ventilated in the media presumably will be laid before the negotiating team…only then would a determination be made.”
According to the APNU release, “the matter (of leadership and position holders) has not yet arisen; we have not been advised by our negotiating team. It is possible that whatever is raised during the negotiation will be reported to the two sides and a determination will be made.”
President Donald Ramotar, after failing to initiate reconciliation talks with the Combined Opposition during the prorogation of Parliament and facing an almost definite no-confidence vote against his government, announced May 11 as the election date.
With odds seemingly stacked against all main contenders, the AFC and APNU are leaning toward a unified front. They both expressed support for “inclusionary democracy” and “pro-democracy alliance”. The AFC has voiced, however, that it wants to lead the coalition should this occur.
Brigadier Granger has told the media, however, that talks with AFC would be concluded in about four weeks time.
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