Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 17, 2018 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom
Now that the PNCR has lost comprehensively the 2018 local government elections, there is a resurgence of talk about the need for power sharing. The same voices who are now preaching about power sharing were not as insistent over the past three and half years on the need to bring the PPPC into the government
But the possibility of a PPPC return to power in 2020, which now seems almost certain if free and fair elections are held – has seen renewed calls for shared governance. Why is it that these calls become so resounding when either the PPPC is in power or, as if now the case, have a real chance of regaining office?
The PNCR holds a one-seat majority in the National Assembly but from the way it has hogged political power and the way it has used that power suggests, would make those who never knew how slender is the PNCR’s hold on power, that the APNU+AFC has a commanding majority in the National Assembly.
When the PPPC was minority government and the APNU and the AFC collectively held a one seat majority, there was no attempt at power sharing. The PPPC tried to engage the APNU alone, preferring to isolate the AFC. The PPPC and the PNCR were on the brink of an agreement for the 2012 Budget when the APNU backpedaled in the face of Opposition from a section of their support base and the AFC.
Despite this, the APNU+AFC went into the 2015 elections with a promise to bring the PPPC into the government regardless of the results of the elections. But no sooner did the Coalition attain a razor-slim one seat majority that the PNCR was back to its old ways of deception.
Instead of power sharing, the PNCR preached a watered down substitute called social cohesion. The PNCR was in effect saying that they preferred to ensure that the two main racial groupings enjoy an amicable relationship rather than have power sharing between the parties, which represent these two major blocks.
It is no surprise that attempts by Jimmy Carter, the former United States President, to have talks between the two parties have not had much progress. Carter and his advisors see the writing on the wall for the Coalition government. They know what happens whenever the PNCR is that party resorts to fomenting violent instability in the streets.
Carter no doubt feels that pre-election dialogue can help to prevent post-election violence. He is mistaken in that respect. The PNCR, if the elections are free and fair, will unleash the same type of response as it did from 1997 to 2006.
From 2006 to 2011, the PNCR adopted a different approach and that approach actually worked. The PNCR weakened the PPPC by coming off the streets and lulling the PPPC in a false sense of security. The ensuring skullduggery of the PPPC government appalled some of the party’s supporters that there was sufficient enough swing vote, which when combined with demographic changes, led eventually to a minority PPPC government in 2011 and then the loss of power in 2015.
Now that the APNU+AFC has demonstrated its own superior record of mismanagement and skullduggery, it faces the real prospect of being a one-term government. And so the power sharing is now the talk of the town.
However, the result of the 2015 elections ironically stands as the greatest obstacle to power sharing. The Coalition government won the elections by under 5,000 votes. It is quite plausible that once there are free and fair elections, for there to be regular changes in government via the ballot box in all future elections. All future elections, if free and fair, are likely to be so close that the Coalition or the PPPC can win.
Guyanese therefore do not need power sharing. Future elections are likely to lead to the regular swapping of political power between the PNCR and the PPPC.
The PPPC is likely to prevail in 2020 but the PNCR/ AFC can easily rebound in 2023 and then lose it again to the PPPC. All indications are that the PNCR will be able to convince certain leaders of the AFC to merge the AFC into the PNCR.
Guyanese therefore have to prepare themselves for regular changes in governments at elections. This is a much better option that power sharing.
Given the testy relationship between the APNU and the AFC, it is perhaps best that no power sharing talks take place with the PPPC. If the PNCR cannot trust the AFC, then how is it going to involve the PPPC in government?
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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