GUYANA | PNCR, AFC Coalition talks falter over Presidential Candidate Disagreement

MONTEGO BAY, March 10, 2025 - Talks between the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) have reached a critical impasse as the March 31st deadline looms.

While negotiators report progress on peripheral issues, the presidential candidacy question remains the towering obstacle threatening to derail hopes for a unified opposition front ahead of Guyana's 2025 General and Regional Elections.

"Dealing with the issue of who will be the presidential candidate is the elephant in the room," a source close to the negotiations told Sunday Stabroek News. "We're trying to work out other factors and will come to that... because as is, there is no change."

Despite the leadership deadlock, both parties continue to express cautious optimism. "We remain optimistic because if both sides want what is best for the country, they will both make sacrifices," the source added, hinting at the political calculations being made behind closed doors.

The negotiations, described as tense and delicate, have adopted a strategic approach to sidestep immediate confrontation over leadership. As one insider colorfully put it: "When you have tense, sensitive situations like this, you don't just go for the jugular. You pat heads and try to soften the talks and get other concerns out of the way."

At the heart of the disagreement stands PNCR leader Aubrey Norton, who has planted his flag firmly in presidential territory, declaring himself the only acceptable standard-bearer for any coalition formed.

This hardline stance has met with equally rigid resistance from the AFC, whose own presidential hopeful, Nigel Hughes, delivered a blunt rejection of Norton's leadership aspirations in January.

"Absolutely not, the short answer to that is no," Hughes stated emphatically. "There has to be a clear process for selecting leadership, driven by polls and other criteria. If and when we get there, we will address it."

Hughes has emphasized the AFC's readiness to contest the elections independently should coalition talks collapse, underscoring the significant principles at stake for his party.

Trust issues have further complicated negotiations, with Norton expressing frustration over information leaks that surfaced in the media. While Norton suggested these breaches might represent an AFC attempt to derail discussions, insiders hint at a possible internal PNCR source, citing "the leadership's close relationship with Demerara Waves."

Norton characterized the leaks as "an attempt to score cheap political points rather than focus on the main goal—removing the PPP from office."

Despite these challenges, both parties have agreed to continue discussions, with Norton confirming plans to draft a Memorandum of Understanding as groundwork for fuller coalition negotiations.

AFC chairman David Patterson has signaled his party's willingness to proceed under specific conditions, including mutual respect for the process, the abandonment of personal and party preconditions, and the development of a joint political platform.

These current negotiations unfold against the backdrop of the parties' successful 2015 alliance, when the PNCR, under the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) umbrella, joined forces with the AFC to defeat the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)—a victory both parties clearly hope to replicate, if only they can agree on who should lead the charge.

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