Juretha Fernandes, believes the coalition has been duly elected to the national assembly, and therefore its work in the legislative body continues. The PNC-led coalition saw its parliamentary seats significantly reduced to a meagre 12 from its previously held 31 in the last parliament. This year, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic obtained some 36 seats, and newcomer, the We Invest in Nationhood captured 16, at the September 1, general and regional elections.

The sharp blow at the elections pried the opposition’s post from the hands of the APNU, giving the new position to WIN, led by businessman, Azruddin Mohamed. Appearing on the PNC’s ‘Nation Watch’ programme last Sunday, Fernandes, who ran alongside PNC’s Aubrey Norton, posited that the APNU has still been afforded a platform- the highest- by which to hold the government accountable and represent the interests of Guyanese; a task she affirmed will be diligently undertaken by the incoming members of parliament.

“Our role is to keep the government accountable. Our role is to advance certain causes for the population…. it’s not about the number of persons you have, but it is about the quality of the people that you are sending to the national assembly.” Fernandes, who represented the APNU+AFC in the 12th Parliament, said she is not optimistic that the ruling PPP/C, with its majority, would be inclined to any proposals by the APNU during the 13th Parliament.

The two political sides have been radically opposed historically. The governing PPP/C and the then main opposition APNU have mostly only held unified views on matters pertaining to the border controversy with Guyana and Venezuela. Outside of this, the government has flexed its majority sway in the national assembly to push its agenda successfully. “Based on my previous five years’ operating in parliament with the PPP administration, there is no hope that they’re going to be willing to adopt any positive policy that is put there, but we have to go out there and do it nevertheless,” the politician stated. (Kaieteur News)