By Michelle Ann Joseph- Coalition politics plays a crucial role in electoral processes, particularly when multiple political parties form alliances to either contest elections collectively or to establish a government post-election. This is often necessary in a fragmented political landscape where no single party can achieve an absolute majority, compelling parties to maximise electoral strength, share ideologies or goals, or join forces against a common adversary.
Coalitions can be pre-electoral, where parties agree to campaign together under a unified platform, or post-electoral, aimed at forming a government. The primary advantage of coalition politics, especially evident in countries with proportional representation systems like Guyana, is that it allows for the formation of a government by combining diverse groups and ideologies, which can help represent a broader spectrum of the electorate.
However, coalition governments can be inherently unstable due to differing objectives and ideologies among the constituent parties. Negotiating power-sharing arrangements is often complex, and maintaining unity in policymaking can be challenging. Coalitions require compromises on policy decisions as parties strive to find common ground.
Countries like India, Germany, and Italy frequently experience coalition governments due to their multi-party systems. For example, Guyana had its first coalition government in 1964 when the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the United Force (UF) came together to challenge the dominance of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in a racially polarised voting environment.
Regarding the electoral system, a Proportional Representation (PR) system is employed in Guyana since 1964-65. This system ensures that sub-groups of an electorate are proportionately reflected in the elected body, meaning the group with the highest votes can select a president to govern.
The coalition known as A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) was established in July 2011, comprising several parties including GAP, JHAP, NDF, NFA, PNCR, WPA, and AFC. This coalition aimed to challenge the PPP government and managed to participate in a hung parliament, where no single party has a majority, potentially fostering more inclusive governance.
Despite some PPP supporters primarily referring to the opposition as the PNC, the importance of recognising and discussing the coalition, APNU, is vital for political clarity and understanding.
The benefits of coalition governments include fostering deeper democracy as they represent diverse political ideologies and cultures, which can help unite communities. Additionally, coalitions tend to adopt compromise-based policies that might have greater longevity than those enacted by a single dominant party. Properly managed, coalition governments can bring long-term stability.
However, there are downsides to consider. Coalitions can lack clear objectives, and forming and managing such alliances can be time-consuming. They may be dominated by one powerful party, resulting in unequal power distribution. Decision-making can be slow, potentially stalling progress. Furthermore, the intricacies of coalition activities can make them challenging to manage and evaluate.
In a politically polarised context like Guyana’s, we often hear disclaimers or warnings like “I don’t want to get political” for fear of alienating one side or another. But advocating for inclusivity through coalition politics is not just political; it’s necessary for democracy. The alternative—avoiding political engagement—risks excluding significant segments of the population from the political discourse.