Govt still hoping for lifeline from Opposition in Parliament

…AG says “crisis” looms
…no need for Opposition to return – Jagdeo

The parliamentary Opposition has firmly stated that they will not return to the National Assembly for the extension of Government’s life, but Attorney General, Basil Williams is still hoping that this will be done, stating that he foresees a “crisis” situation in Guyana.

During a People’s National Congress (PNC) press conference on Friday, Williams said that the Government will make a decision on returning to Parliament after discussions in ‘Cabinet’ (which, according to the Caribbean Court of Justice, stands resigned).
He added that if the Opposition does not return to Parliament, then caretaker President, David Granger would have no other choice than to “dissolve Parliament”.

However, even as Williams is hoping for the Opposition to return to Parliament, there are already calls for Granger to dissolve Parliament. These calls started when the proclamation was issued for General and Regional Elections, which were constitutionally due since September 18. The elections are to be held on March 2, 2020.

No need to return
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had debunked claims made by the Government that the Opposition needs to return to Parliament before it can be dissolved.
It is a requirement of the President to issue a proclamation to dissolve Parliament when an election is impending. However, Government is seeking to extend its life by ordering the parliamentary Opposition to return to Parliament. The former Head of State clarified that an extension of Government’s life is unnecessary since it is not linked to any decisions that should be taken to facilitate the polls. Moreover, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) would have bestowed the coalition Administration with a caretaker status, indicating that its main function is to host elections.
“He sought to link the date with the return of the parliamentary Opposition to Parliament to extend the life of his Government…Therein are several fallacies. One, there is no link to the extension of his Government, which has been illegal since March 21. He never sought that extension before,” Jagdeo had related.
He added, “Secondly, the extension is wholly unnecessary for him to discharge the caretaker responsibility that had been accorded to him by the CCJ. Because a caretaker Government is only vested with one responsibility, that is, holding elections and having the authority to do all the things necessary with the holding of elections. By virtue of being caretaker, he can proclaim the date and he can dissolve the Parliament.”
According to Jagdeo, Government is looking at the extension as a legal footing for activities which are not authorised under a caretaker Administration.
“We believe the real reason for all of this [is] they want legal coverage for all the criminal acts of theft and transfer of resources that they have committed because they believe if we extend the life of the Government, there will be no prosecution. There can’t be prosecution,” he signalled.
In this regard, he reaffirmed that there is a zero per cent chance of them returning to the National Assembly.
“We have no intention of going to Parliament to extend the life of his Government. Absolutely none. No intention whatsoever,” Jagdeo positioned.
In order for Government’s legitimacy to be restored, they would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament.