Guyana’s prolonged parliamentary inactivity is raising alarm among key international partners, who warn that the lack of a functioning National Assembly and an elected Leader of the Opposition threatens the country’s democratic governance.
More than two months have passed since the 13th Parliament last convened, and representatives from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union—collectively known as the ABCEU partners—are urging the urgent restoration of parliamentary operations. Their concerns are particularly focused on the failure to elect a Leader of the Opposition following the September 1, 2025 general and regional elections.
U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot has been particularly vocal, asserting that the election of the Opposition Leader should occur “as soon as possible.” She emphasized that a functioning opposition is essential for any democratic legislature and that Parliament must operate effectively for elected representatives to fulfill their constitutional duties. Theriot stressed that Guyana’s growth and development heavily rely on effective parliamentary oversight and participation.
British High Commissioner Jane Miller echoed Theriot’s position, underscoring that the governance system in Guyana requires the timely involvement of all elected members, stating that electing a Leader of the Opposition is not optional but critical for maintaining balance and accountability within the National Assembly.
Canada’s High Commissioner Sébastien Sigouin took a more nuanced approach, emphasizing that decisions related to parliamentary sittings and the appointment of the Opposition Leader are within Guyana’s constitutional framework. He expressed belief that the country’s democratic institutions would ultimately resolve the ongoing impasse.
Similarly, European Union Ambassador Luca Pierantoni pointed out the importance of strong public institutions in translating democratic principles into practice. He expressed optimism that Parliament would reconvene soon and that the issue of appointing a Leader of the Opposition would be resolved once parliamentary proceedings resume.
The 13th Parliament has met only once, on November 3, 2025. Since that sitting, no further meetings have been scheduled by Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, with no public explanation provided for the delays. Normally, the election of a Leader of the Opposition occurs at the first sitting of a new Parliament or shortly thereafter.
In the recent elections, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) emerged as the clear winner, receiving approximately 242,498 votes nationwide and earning 36 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly. The newly formed We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party secured second place with about 109,066 votes, translating to 16 seats, while the traditional opposition grouping, Partnership for National Unity (APNU), garnered around 77,998 votes, resulting in 12 seats. The smaller Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) obtained approximately 4,326 votes, gaining 1 seat.
Opposition parties have reached out to both CARICOM and the Commonwealth for intervention. Despite increasing international pressure, the government has yet to publicly call on the Speaker to reconvene Parliament, leaving concerns about the legislative process unresolved.
