13th Parliament of Guyana Opens with Reshaped Political Landscape

Guyana’s 13th Parliament officially opened today at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, marking the beginning of a new legislative term under President Irfaan Ali’s administration. The sitting follows the September 1 general and regional elections and introduces a 65-seat National Assembly that reflects both consolidation of power by the ruling party and significant realignments in the opposition.

Seat Distribution in the 13th Parliament

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) confirmed the final allocation of seats as follows:

• People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – 36 seats
• We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) – 16 seats
• A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – 12 seats
• Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) – 1 seat

The ruling PPP/C has expanded its majority, further strengthening its control of the legislature. The newly formed WIN Party, led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed, has emerged as the official opposition, displacing APNU from that role. APNU has suffered a significant reduction in parliamentary representation, while the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) enters Parliament for the first time, represented by Amanza Walton-Desir.

Political observers note that this new composition introduces unfamiliar dynamics to Guyana’s political landscape, with a dominant government facing an opposition divided between two major blocs — one traditional, one emerging.

Constitutional and Administrative Framework

Under Article 69(1) of the Constitution of Guyana, the President must summon Parliament within four months of its dissolution. Following the July 4, 2025 dissolution of the 12th Parliament, today’s session meets that constitutional requirement.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, confirmed that all 65 Members of Parliament were sworn in. Administrative arrangements — including payroll processing, seating allocation, and committee structuring — were completed prior to the sitting.

The opening session also begins the process of electing a Speaker and Deputy Speaker, key positions that will influence the tone and effectiveness of parliamentary proceedings in the coming term.

Election of the Leader of the Opposition

Attention now turns to the selection of the new Leader of the Opposition, a position expected to be filled within the coming days.

According to Article 184(1) of the Constitution (as amended by Act No. 14 of 2000):

“The Leader of the Opposition shall be elected by and from among the non-governmental members of the National Assembly at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the National Assembly, who shall not have the right to vote.”

This means all opposition Members — those not aligned with the governing PPP/C — will convene under the Speaker to elect one among them. The office becomes vacant if the holder resigns, loses confidence from a majority of non-governmental MPs, or ceases to hold a parliamentary seat.

It is widely expected that Azruddin Mohamed, the embattled businessman and leader of the WIN Party, will be elected Leader of the Opposition. Despite ongoing scrutiny surrounding his business dealings, Mohamed’s control of the largest opposition bloc makes him the clear frontrunner.

Within the opposition benches, Dr. Terrence Campbell will serve as the lead parliamentarian for APNU, signaling a generational shift in the coalition’s leadership ranks. Amanza Walton-Desir, representing the FGM, will hold a single but potentially decisive vote in opposition proceedings.

On the government side, Prime Minister Mark Phillips will continue to lead the PPP/C’s parliamentary team, maintaining the party’s strategic focus on advancing its legislative agenda and deepening regional development initiatives.

Political Tensions and Issues to Watch

• Opposition realignment: The transition of the opposition mantle from APNU to WIN marks a major political shift. How Mohamed’s leadership will manage APNU’s cooperation or competition remains to be seen.
• Government’s strengthened majority: The PPP/C’s 36-seat dominance allows for smooth passage of legislation, though it also increases expectations for accountability and transparency.
• Committee oversight: The selection of chairs for key parliamentary committees — particularly the Public Accounts Committee — will test the balance of power between government and opposition.
• Public scrutiny: Mohamed’s anticipated appointment may provoke debate over ethics and governance, given questions surrounding his business operations and political funding.

The opening of Guyana’s 13th Parliament marks both continuity and transformation. The PPP/C’s expanded majority provides a firm platform for governance, while a new-look opposition under WIN’s Azruddin Mohamed introduces uncertainty and potential volatility into parliamentary proceedings.

With Dr. Terrence Campbell representing APNU’s interests, Amanza Walton-Desir voicing FGM’s independent stance, and Prime Minister Mark Phillips steering the government’s legislative efforts, the tone set in the coming weeks will determine whether this Parliament delivers effective governance — or deepens political polarisation.