Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman this evening said that the nation faced a “clear and unvarnished constitutional crisis” after the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs today declined the speaker’s request to convene a sitting of parliament on November 6.
Trotman in a statement said that the Clerk maintained his view that the Speaker lacked the authority to convene sittings of the National Assembly. Trotman noted that the roles of Speaker and Clerk are regulated by the constitution and it is the duty of the Clerk to convene the sitting. The Clerk has been of the view that the government has to set the date. Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira has been accused by opposition Chief Whip Amna Ally of dilly-dallying over the setting of the date. Teixeira has not been available in recent days to explain the continuing delay. Observers say the government wants to stave off a sitting as it would likely see an AFC motion of no-confidence passed against. The government appears to be holding out for some deal with the opposition coalition APNU which would put the no-confidence motion on the back burner.
In his statement, Trotman invited all “well thinking Guyanese to join me in examining all viable options and avenues to break the impasse in the interest of our beloved nation”.
