News Source Guyana Reports | Opposition political parties represented in the National Assembly have strongly criticized President Irfaan Ali’s two-and-a-half-hour address to the nation, calling it scripted, self-congratulatory, and devoid of meaningful relief for vulnerable populations.
APNU Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul expressed concern that the President’s address failed to provide real solutions for the challenges faced by Guyanese. He also criticized Ali’s decision to address the nation from outside the Parliamentary precinct, which he believes undermines democratic norms. “The manner in which the address was delivered was deeply troubling and speaks volumes of this government’s attitudes towards democratic accountability,” Mahipaul stated. “In a parliamentary democracy, accountability belongs in the National Assembly.”
Leader of the WIN party, Azruddin Mohamed, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the President’s choice of location for the address betrayed the expectations of the public. “Guyanese are upset because promises were made, expectations were set, and those promises were broken,” Mohamed said. He particularly sympathized with public servants on minimum wage who were left hoping for the promised cash grants.
Amanza Walton Desir, leader of the Forward Guyana Movement, criticized the lack of engagement with elected Members of Parliament, insisting that such addresses should traditionally occur within the National Assembly. “What you had was a parliamentary address that is usually given by the Head of State to the elected members of the National Assembly,” she emphasized, noting that the address is meant to set the legislative and policy agenda for the next five years.
Walton Desir also pointed out that the President’s speech failed to address geopolitical tensions in the region. “Every plan he espouses can turn upside down if peace erodes in the region,” she cautioned, questioning the practicality of the President’s vision given ongoing regional uncertainties.
While the address was attended by government MPs, members of the diplomatic corps, the joint services, and the business community, opposition members stated they did not receive invitations, further compounding their criticisms of the event.
