Lawrence backs Granger for second term

GOVERNMENT ministers have hinted that President David Granger may return as the Presidential candidate for the APNU + AFC coalition, in the upcoming Regional and General elections.

On Friday, a no-confidence vote was passed against the incumbent coalition government after a government member of parliament, Charrandas Persaud voted in support of the opposition-led motion. The successful passage of this motion means that the General Elections could be held in about 90 days’ time, instead of in 2020 when it was constitutionally slated to be held.

With his government coming under increasing pressure to abide by a motion of no confidence passed against it on December 21 mandating that new elections be held within 90 days, President David Granger today extended an olive branch to the opposition saying that there are opportunities for “enhanced political cooperation”.

In his New Year’s address to the nation, the Head of State made no direct reference to the no-confidence motion but mentioned that “recent developments in the National Assembly have created opportunities for enhanced political cooperation.”

DESPITE the opposition’s call for the government to resign, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan says that, logically, the country can at no time be left without a government and the unfolding of the no-confidence motion cannot hinder the country’s progress.

Furthermore, Jordan believes that what happened on December 21, 2018, and whatever is to come after can only serve as an opportunity for the current government to better showcase why it remains the country’s best option.

Barbara Patricia Pilgrim minutes ago took the oath before speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland to serve as Member of Parliament in the National Assembly following the expulsion of former Alliance for Change (AFC) member, Charrandas Persaud.