Ramotar seen as running again in snap elections

As the prospect of early general elections grows, it is more than likely that President Donald Ramotar will be the PPP’s nominee for the presidency but with a new-look team.

Analysts say that the PPP would be hard-pressed to find a new candidate at this point and given its weakened and sharply falling support at two consecutive elections, the ruling party would not want to risk a contest in the party for the presidency. It would also have to deal with the embarrassment of dumping its candidate just after three years. This is despite the fact that Ramotar delivered the worst result in the party’s post-1992 history, leaving it without a majority in parliament.

General Secretary of the party Clement Rohee is seen as the only possible, viable challenge to Ramotar but analysts say the party would be unwilling to risk what could be a bruising battle between two of the senior leaders of the party. In addition, Rohee is seen as having a largely negative image outside of the party and would be even less able to draw new supporters