APNU/AFC coalition talks: Jagdeo says parties focused on ‘splitting spoils’ not development

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo raised concerns about the ongoing discussions for a coalition between two opposition parties, APNU and AFC, on Thursday.

According to Jagdeo, who is also Guyana’s Vice President, the two parties seem more focused on what benefits they can secure for themselves instead of focusing on how they can help improve the lives of Guyanese.

“Their primary concern is splitting spoils. They can’t win the elections.. But already they are talking about how they will split up jobs, who will get what ministry,” Jagdeo lamented.

No agreement reached on coalition between APNU/AFC

What he referred to was a report on proposals for the coalition to materialise. In In a statement issued late on Sunday, the AFC confirmed that it had approved its conditions for the coalition following a special meeting of the National Executive Committee. According to the statement, the AFC is sticking to its stance on Hughes as the presidential candidate and also put forward a proposal for a 60-40 power-sharing split, with 60% of positions in the coalition government to be held by APNU representatives.

Jagdeo said he understands the need to have certain metrics for negotiations but opined that the parties don’t seem focused on how their possible coalition will uplift people.

“They don’t care about people, and they don’t talk about housing or water or generating external walth… all they are concerned bout is who gets what.

“Every week, it is one thing, you (want to) see what percentage we are going to get, who is going to be the leader,” he noted.

The two parties formed a coalition a decade ago. Together, they contested the 2015 General and Regional elections and won. They again contested the 2020 elections together but the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) was elected to government.

In the aftermath of those elections, the AFC did not renew the coalition pact though APNU and AFC parliamentarians remain together in the National Assembly and the majority opposition. Ahead of the 2025 elections, the parties are exploring another coalition.

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