PRESIDENT AND OPPOSITION LEADER MEETING

Jul 22, 2018 Editorial

A few days ago, President David Granger and Opposition leader, Bharat Jagdeo met at State House to discuss the appointments of the Chairpersons for the Public Service Commission and the Police Service Commission.
Based on protocol, the process requires the National Assembly to nominate persons for the positions and submit the names to the President so that consultation can take place.
Despite the intense acrimony, partisan and racial politics that have been imbedded into the psyche of the people, especially during elections campaigns, the meeting between the two leaders was cordial, as expected. Regardless of their political affiliation, the people expect these two adults to be able to engage in political discourse without the conversation degenerating into belligerence, insults or nastiness.
It has been a common practice for decades. After all, they were elected to promote unity and the greater good of the people and the country. This is the human phenomenon that may or may not be understood by all.
This is not the first meeting between the President and the Opposition leader. They have met many times before beginning with the promulgation of the 1980 Constitution and continuing to today.
As most of us are aware, the President is mandated by the Constitution to consult in a meaningful way with the leader of the opposition on important issues. The Opposition leader who invariably gets excessively and unreasonably feisty about the policies of the government and adopts a righteous position for most of them is also obligated by the Constitution to meet with the President. This is the unshakeable bond that glues the nation together and is the foundation of our democracy.
The Opposition represents an alternative government and is responsible for challenging the policies of the government and producing different policies where appropriate. The Opposition should not just be about opposing the government. While one of its main role is to question the government and hold it accountable to the public, it is important for the opposition leader to meet with the president on issues that are soundly based and have wide public support.
Another major role is for the Opposition to propose alternatives to what the government is doing so that the public can benefit from the political debate between parties. Many, including supporters of the PPP, are profoundly happy about the meeting, because they believe that the Opposition can influence policy outcomes and help the government resolve problems.
Other than being critical of the government, it is most useful for the Opposition to define its own position.
Despite the meeting, the people are concerned that the leaders of both parties are so detached from the problems and challenges facing the country that they are not up to the task to solve them and that the political posturing will continue.
That said, there is need for serious introspection, analysis and planning by the government and the Opposition to find long-term solutions for the economy, crime, poverty and corruption. They should strive to unite the people in the best interest of the country and end the decades long divisive politics rooted in ethnic support.
There is no doubt that the people want an end to the polarized politics and discrimination against those who identify with a party or political ideas opposing to both the ruling and the Opposition parties and restructure the country.
But the biggest hurdle is for our leaders to discard for all times the pattern of ethnic political support, which sadly, is the current situation in the country.

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