As coalition negotiations between People’s National Congress Reform/A Partnership for National Unity (PNCR/APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) continue behind closed doors, sources reportedly told Demerara Waves that the PNCR has tabled a new counter-offer aimed at salvaging a united front for the upcoming general and regional elections.
The revised proposal offers a 70-30 seat and power-sharing split in favour of PNCR led-APNU, a shift from their initial 75-25 stance. The AFC, which had originally proposed a 65-35 division before settling on 60-40 as its bottom line, is now reviewing the counter-offer. The ongoing back-and-forth reflects deep-seated tensions over not just numbers, but the broader direction and identity of the opposition movement.
However, the fragile talks appear to be plagued by internal breaches of trust. Despite public commitments from both the AFC and PNCR to keep negotiations confidential, Demerara Waves has repeatedly published details from inside the discussions, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the persons participating in the process.
Political analysts say the consistent leaks not only violate the spirit of confidentiality agreed upon by both parties but may be part of a deliberate attempt to sabotage the coalition talks. The ‘Confidentiality‘ clause in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two sides, expressly states:
“Both Parties agree that all discussions, documents, proposals, and related information shared during the negotiation process and subsequent agreement shall remain strictly confidential. No Party shall disclose any such information to third parties without the prior written consent of the other Party. This confidentiality clause shall remain in effect even if discussions are terminated without an agreement.”
Reacting to the dysfunction one analyst said “It suggests someone on the inside is actively working to derail these negotiations.” The analyst warned that the leaks are almost certain to stir negative reactions among party supporters and weaken any eventual alliance ahead of the polls.
The issue of seat allocation is further complicated by the need to accommodate smaller parties within the APNU umbrella, many of whom expect parliamentary or ministerial roles despite having limited political clout or public recognition. This issue analyst believe could make the AFC increasingly cautious, wary of being sidelined in any future government.
In a gesture of compromise, APNU has reportedly agreed to allow the AFC to nominate the next Speaker of the National Assembly. But the two sides remain at odds over who should hold the powerful position of Representative of the List which grants the authority to appoint or recall parliamentarians. Since 2011, with the APNU contesting the election, the position was held by Cammie Ramsaroop (who was not the presidential candidate); in 2015 by Dr. Harold Lutchman (who was not the presidential candidate) in a APNU+AFC coalition; and in 2020 David Granger (who was the presidential candidate) in a APNU+AFC coalition.
Reportedly, while APNU insists on retaining this position, the AFC has countered with a proposal that whoever produces the presidential candidate should not simultaneously hold the Representative role.
Although the deadline to finalise the coalition agreement passed on March 31, 2025, there is currently no new timeline for resolution. Negotiations continue, largely via email, with senior representatives including PNCR executive Ganesh Mahipaul confirming ongoing communication but declining to release further details.
“Our communication with the AFC remains confidential,” Mahipaul stated at a PNCR press conference, emphasising that APNU’s leader Aubrey Norton remains the coalition’s presidential pick unless he personally steps aside. Mahipaul is a member of the PNC/APNU negotiating team and is also bound by the Confidentiality clause. Under such circumstance it would have been better for him to say “no comment.”
Meanwhile, the name of prominent businessman Dr. Terrence Campbell has emerged as a possible compromise (consensus) presidential candidate in some quarters, though no formal discussions have been confirmed.
