Guyana opposition presidential candidate agrees to coalition

Retired Brigadier David Granger, who was last weekend elected as the presidential candidate for Guyana’s main opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), said he remains committed to his party's position to an opposition coalition to contest the 2011 general elections.

However, he wants to know on what basis the coalition presidential candidate would be named, and if and why he should cede his presidential candidacy.

He made the comment at his party's news conference on Friday.

Party leader Robert Corbin, who was present at Friday's briefing, reiterated his party's commitment to a coalition. He disclosed that he entered into discussions on coalition with the other parties without touching on the presidential candidate for the coalition forces.

Corbin said that he is having more meetings with the opposition parties next week.

Granger, in response to a question about his running mate, said that the Central Executive Committee and the General Council of the PNCR will make that decision in due course.