GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has called on the two major parties in the coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to put aside their differences and unite ahead of the regional and general elections later this year.

WPA co-leader, David Hinds told reporters that time is of the essence.

“As the PPP’s (ruling People’s Progressive Party) vulnerability begins to manifest itself, the WPA reiterates its belief that a grand coalition of opposition parties stands the best chance of unseating the ruling cabal in a free and fair election,” Hinds said.

He said a coalition of the willing, guided by a united purpose and intent would no doubt energise the opposition’s base, as he emphasised the importance of the two sides reaching a consensus.

“It is against this background that WPA urges our sister parties to quickly iron out their apparent differences. While negotiations over critical issues are normal in coalition building, WPA calls for consensus rather than confrontation. History will not be kind to us if we allow short-term differences to blind us to long-term implications,” said the WPA co-leader.

Earlier this week, the leaders of the two main parties in the opposition coalition met in a bid to resolve their differences surrounding the presidential candidate for the upcoming elections.

“I think the talks were useful, very useful. Hope is alive and kicking and we look forward to another engagement,” said the leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC) Nigel Hughes, who has already been put forward by the AFC as the presidential candidate.

The leader of the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, told reporters after the meeting, “Basically what we have agreed is that the AFC will put its position in writing and then we will meet to address them.”

“I can say to you we haven’t closed the door on coalition,” Norton added.

Earlier, the AFC in a statement said it will accept a 60-40 split at all levels of government if the coalition forms the next government.

In 2015, the APNU and AFC entered into a coalition based on an agreement known as The Cummingsburg Accord. The coalition campaigned on that Accord and won the elections that year but they were defeated in the 2020 controversial elections.

When the Accord expired, the AFC opted not to renew it, while maintaining its seats in the National Assembly as a coalition.

Hinds, a political scientist, said he remains optimistic that the parties will arrive at a consensus.

“As far as the APNU side is concerned, it must be taken into consideration that the APNU side includes the PNC, other parties within the APNU, and for now the WPA that is outside of the APNU, and so, therefore, you are talking about one party being given 40 per cent of the spoils while several other parties are being given 60 per cent.

“I think that is a consideration that the parties at the table must take into consideration when arriving at the formula,” said Hinds, adding that the WPA is prepared to support either Norton or Hughes for the position.