The People’s National Congress Islahat (PNCR) and Working People’s Alliance (WPA) are teaming up to contest the 2025 General and Regional Elections. In a statement issued yesterday the two sides said their decision comes amidst calls by opposition supporters for a show of unity among opposition parties as the country prepares for the elections constitutionally due in 2025.
The statement, issued by the PNCR, said the leaderships of the two parties met in the first of a series of planned meetings.
“In a frank discussion, the two parties exchanged views on the current political situation, including the need to ensure that the coming elections are conducted in a manner that enjoys the confidence of all parties. Towards this end, it was agreed that the work started by the Joint Opposition Parties (PNCR and WPA) should be expanded and intensified.”
The parties also stated they engaged in a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition, both in and out of office and committed themselves to correcting the flaws identified.
The WPA, which was part of the APNU, withdrew from the coalition in August 2020, after the March 2 General and Regional Elections citing repeated “violations of principles governing coalition politics” and role of small parties in the alliance.
However, in 2025, the parties said some of the issues discussed include the role of small parties in coalition decision-making, the need for a joint, integrated platform, mechanisms to mitigate conflicts within the coalition and for the constituent parties to act in unison even as they retain their independence.
The possibility of the WPA returning to the APNU was also discussed [and] in the end, it was agreed that despite mistakes, coalition politics remains the best option for the country, the statement said.
Against the foregoing the two parties said they decided in principle to work jointly at two levels:-
“First, it was agreed that the work of the Joint Opposition Parties should be broadened to include other forms of political engagement.
“Second, the parties agreed to begin discussions towards the formation of a coalition to contest the upcoming elections, but to leave the door open for other parties which may wish to join.”
According to the parties a second meeting has been scheduled before the Christmas holidays.
The PNCR delegation was led by Party Leader, Aubrey C. Norton and included Party Chairman, Shurwayne Holder and General Secretary, Sherwin Benjamin. The WPA delegation was led by Co-Leader, Dr. David Hinds and included Co-Leaders Tacuma Ogunseye and Rohit Kanhai and party Chairman, Deon Abrams.
Meanwhile, the Alliance for Change (AFC) that partnered with the APNU in the 2015 and 2020 elections, has been spearheading a very aggressive outreach with other stakeholders, local and international, as it seeks to establish what appeared to be a new coalition to contest the elections.