WIN welcomes western diplomats’ call for election of opposition leader

Jan 12, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) has welcomed statements by western diplomats on the continued failure of Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, to convene a meeting to facilitate the election of a leader of the opposition.

WIN said the interventions come amid growing concern that the speaker is undermining the functioning of parliament in an effort to prevent WIN leader Azruddin Mohamed from being sworn in as leader of the opposition. The 13th Parliament convened on November 3, 2025, when government and opposition MPs were sworn in.

Since then, no date has been announced for Speaker Nadir to preside over a sitting to elect the opposition leader. The party currently holds the majority of opposition seats in the National Assembly, with 16 MPs. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has 12 seats, while Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) holds one.

In invited comments to Stabroek News, diplomatic representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union all weighed in on the issue.

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, said: “We all recognise the importance of a functioning opposition as part of any legislative body. I join my EU and British colleagues in encouraging the convening of Parliament and the election of the Leader of the Opposition as soon as possible so all those elected by the people of Guyana can begin performing their constitutionally designated duties. An active Parliament is important for Guyana’s continued growth and development which will benefit all the people of Guyana.”

WIN said Theriot’s remarks align with its repeated calls for urgent international attention and underscore the democratic principle that all elected representatives must be allowed to perform their constitutionally mandated duties.

“The time for action has long passed. The continued failure to convene parliament and elect a leader of the opposition is not accidental, but a deliberate stalling of democratic process that denies the people of Guyana the representation and accountability they voted for,” the party said.

WIN added that any further delay amounts to a willful obstruction of democratic governance, a misuse of authority, and a direct affront to the constitutional order, and again called on the speaker to act without further delay and put the interests of citizens first.

British High Commissioner Jane Miller similarly emphasised that both government and opposition parliamentarians occupy a “critical role” in the legislative process, and called for the election of a leader of the opposition to take place “without delay.”

Miller told Stabroek News that Guyana’s system of governance depends on the active participation of all elected members, noting that the appointment of a leader of the opposition is a prerequisite for parliamentarians to fully execute their constitutional duties. She also said there is a vital link between a robust legislature and a flourishing democracy, adding that she “eagerly awaits” the formal opening of the national assembly.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, also weighed in, calling for the protection and strengthening of democratic principles, good governance and the rule of law. He stated: “The appointment of the Leader of the Opposition and the scheduling of parliamentary sittings are matters for Guyana’s constitutional actors to resolve in accordance with the law. I am confident that Guyana’s democratic traditions and institutions will address these issues and ensure that Parliament can carry out its important work on behalf of the people of Guyana.”

European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Luca Pierantoni, said he would be “rather surprised” if parliament does not resume sitting within the next couple of weeks, expressing confidence that the long-outstanding issue of appointing a leader of the opposition would be resolved once parliamentary business recommences.

The party noted that Ambassador Pierantoni remarks echo the findings of the EU Election Observer Mission to Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections report which highlighted the need for strengthened democratic institutions, respect for constitutional processes, and reforms to ensure accountability and public confidence in governance.

Further, WIN noted that the timely convening of parliament and the election of a leader of the opposition are essential to accountability, representation and the proper functioning of democratic governance, warning that continued delay obstructs constitutional responsibilities and denies citizens the full benefit of their democratic rights.

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• Election, Forward Guyana Movement, Manzoor Nadir, Nicole Theriot, Opposition Leader, We Invest in Nationhood

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