The government is set to present the 2026 National Budget on Monday, January 26, despite ongoing claims of a lack of Parliamentary Opposition and allegations of misinformation circulating in public discourse. Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, addressed these claims in a statement issued on Monday, asserting that they are deliberate falsehoods being perpetuated with reckless abandon.
Opposition members have suggested that the absence of a Leader of the Opposition renders the budget presentation impossible; however, McCoy dismissed these assertions as either intentionally misleading or indicative of a fundamental misunderstanding of events at the opening of the 13th Parliament on November 3, 2025. He emphasized that opposition MPs were duly sworn in during the live-televised event, which is part of the official public record.
“Some of the very individuals now peddling this falsehood appeared visibly bewildered even as the oaths were administered. We now understand why,” McCoy remarked.
Rather than preparing to address the budget based on its merits, he accused the opposition of attempting to obscure public understanding and create confusion. McCoy highlighted a contradiction in the opposition’s stance, noting their calls for the appointment of a Leader of the Opposition while simultaneously claiming no opposition exists.
“One cannot, on the one hand, call for the selection of a Leader of the Opposition and, on the other, claim that no Opposition exists,” he stated, labeling such contradictions as “manufactured nonsense.”
He further criticized the manipulation of ordinary Guyanese as conduits for misinformation, particularly through social media, adding that these claims have been amplified by ill-gotten wealth.
“This behaviour is irresponsible, dangerous, and a direct insult to the intelligence of the Guyanese people,” McCoy said.
Reiterating that Parliament is lawfully constituted and that Guyana has a functioning Parliamentary Opposition, McCoy emphasized that there are no legal or constitutional barriers to the presentation of the budget, which aims to outline plans for improving lives and advancing inclusive national development.
