Guyana:Leaders of main opposition parties to meet amid coalition talks
The leaders of Guyana's two major opposition parties are planning to meet to discuss potential collaboration ahead of the 2025 regional and general elections.
People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) leader Aubrey Norton confirmed at a Friday news conference that he will meet with Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Nigel Hughes, though the specific details of the meeting have not yet been finalized.
"Recently, I have agreed with the leader of the AFC that we will meet and I think we will pursue some form of coalition," Norton stated.
However, he emphasized that any coalition must accurately reflect each party's political strength.
"We believe coalition should reflect the strength of the political parties, and our approach is for coalition but we are not naïve to believe that we could just accept anything," Norton explained. "We would want the coalition to reflect the strength of the political parties, reflect the strength of the Guyanese people with the aim of being successful at the next elections."
The potential alliance follows Hughes' public statement in August dismissing speculation about rivalry between the two leaders. "Brothers and sisters, I want to leave you with a message. There is no competition between Aubrey and I. None! You can take that to the bank," Hughes had declared.
This development recalls the 2011 formation of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), when the PNCR joined with several parties, including the Working People's Alliance (WPA).
APNU later merged with the AFC under the Cummingsburg Accord in 2015, successfully defeating the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) that year. However, after losing the controversial 2020 elections, the AFC chose not to renew the accord.
The WPA has recently stressed the importance of opposition unity as the Guyana Elections Commission prepares for the August 2025 elections.
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