Post-Congress perspectives and legitimate expectations

Even if the PNCR had been minded to support the proposed AFC motion of no confidence against the government, it is not now likely. The controversies at its Congress were publicly manifested in allegations of violence and election rigging. These same allegations have bedevilled the PNCR for decades. Many fear that party because of it. While there was no violence at the Congress and the leadership has dismissed allegations of vote rigging, the firing of a gunshot and the loud protestations of disenfranchisement were the worst kind of public relations disaster for the PNCR.

While the PNCR is in disarray and the AFC’s motion of no confidence now appearing as if it will go nowhere, the PPP’s consistent strategy gives it renewed comfort. It knows that it has a minority government and is employing every strategy to keep it functioning. It has rejected out of hand any form of coalition. It intends to stay in office for as long as possible. Whenever this is no longer possible, it will dissolve the National Assembly and call elections, which the PPP/C believes it will win. This is a fixed strategy from which it is not deviating. It has been paying dividends in terms of retaining office.

Because of the anti-money laundering legislation pending in the National Assembly and the likelihood that the opposition will not support it, the government had in mind the possibility that it may have to call elections. FATF’s postponement of its review to October gives the government a further lease of life. Even if the pronouncement against Guyana is