While the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has decided to throw its support behind the proposed vote of no-confidence by the Alliance For Change (AFC), the Government is expecting that the process would go through the normal course in the National Assembly.
This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, who told reporters that the proposed no-confidence motion should not be seen as something to be done away with in a swift manner. The Cabinet Secretary said: “So you have a motion that is now supported by two parliamentary (Opposition) parties, our expectation would essentially be for the motion to be introduced for the Speaker to rule… it is not intended to be a one-day affair… one has to delve into the Constitution… the standing orders, it is matter of process essentially.”
After this is done, Luncheon advised, the requisite steps would be taken by the Executive to follow through on the motion. Luncheon said while an election date can be set before the debate on the no-confidence motion ensues in the national Assembly, it is a vague possibility.
If the motion of no-confidence is passed in the National Assembly, President Donald Ramotar would be constitutionally bound to dissolve the National Assembly. He would also be required to set a date for the holding of General Elections no more than three months after the motion would have made its way through the National Assembly.
Luncheon, however, told reporters that while this is so, the no-confidence motion is being seen as nothing more than another challenge faced by Governments around the world.
When questioned on whether Cabinet had held discussions about the no-confidence proceedings at its meeting on Tuesday, Dr Luncheon responded in the negative stating that the matter was only “noted”.
“Note was taken of the intention that had been reported in the media, what subsequently took place cannot be called a discussion, in my note-taking, it goes down as Cabinet noted” said Luncheon.
PPP/C ready
