Parliament deferred after APNU request – Ramotar

President Donald Ramotar told NCN on Saturday that the convening of the new Parliament was deferred to January following a request by opposition coalition, APNU.

According to GINA, he said the decision was based on a request by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) which indicated that most of its members would be proceeding on vacation during the Christmas season. Ramotar said he acceded to the request, quelling fears that he might capitalise on the opportunity to “spring the parliament on them” and elect his own speaker.

“I gave them the commitment that I will not do that and, if they want to go for the Christmas holidays they can so proceed … I will not convene the parliament in the month of December,” President Ramotar said, according to GINA.

The opposition has a slender one-seat majority in parliament and is expected to choose its own candidate as Speaker.