One of the advantages of the parliamentary aspect of Guyana’s semi-presidential political system is that it could foster consensus in ethnically divided and conflict-ridden situations (Lijphart, Arend (1984) ‘Democracies: Patterns of Majoritarian and Consensus Government in Twenty- One Countries,’ Yale University Press). This advantage has, however, remained unrealized throughout the post-independence period in which, in spite of its potential to bring consensus, the speakership (Speaker and Deputy) has fallen prey to its contentious environment. (‘Criticism of Speaker’s character, actions not permitted:’ SN: 11/08/2020).
