Presidential rotation a far more wise and practical constitutional idea

Dear Editor,

With reference to a letter by Joey Jagan, entitled, ‘Postpone elections, form caretaker coalition gov’t with PPP to create meaningful constitutional changes’ of Sept 19, 2019, [Stabroek News], I respectfully wish to offer the following comments:

While, as a politically-neutral individual, born in Guyana, I agree with Joey (who by the way, did an excellent job ‘filling in’ one of my front teeth many years ago), that there’s a need for meaningful constitutional changes in Guyana; at the same time, I do not share his belief (as earlier also proposed by his father, former Executive President Cheddi Jagan) that such constitutional reform should, inter alia, create a government of National Unity; even though the idea undoubtedly sounds fair and politically correct, bearing in mind the very high level of political tension, conflict and animosity that has been plaguing Guyana electoral politics for generations now.

If the ‘national unity’ or ‘shared governance’ proposal by Joey Jagan, is ever put in effect, there would be constant disagreements between the President and Prime Minister (the leader of a major political party)… and quite frankly, I don’t think it would work.  Essentially, political power is of such a nature that it cannot be effective if it has to be shared with someone else. Which hungry lion enjoying his prey would want to share it with another lion?… and if he is somehow forced to share his prey, would he be happy doing so? And in this regard, the wisdom of the proverb ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’ should also be borne in mind. Political power offers dignity, prestige, a sense of importance and enormous pleasure and satisfaction to politicians… and, like morphine, the person enjoying executive political power (such as any President of Guyana) quickly finds the allure of power addictive and irresistible. Such a ‘shared governance’ or ‘government of national unity’ political system would, as a consequence lead to gross annoyance of the President (for constantly having his proposed political decisions criticized or dishonoured by counter suggestions by the Prime Minister, which would obviously be the case) and gross dissatisfaction and frustration by the Prime Minister (the other major political leader), for constantly failing to have his suggestions implemented or seriously considered by the President of the ‘shared governance’ system. This is the nature of the political beast.

On the other hand, my humble suggestion of a system of ‘presidential rotation’, (as published in a letter in Kaieteur News of January 11, 2019), while not perfect, is, in my opinion, a far more wise and practical constitutional idea to resolve or greatly reduce many of the problems (such as ethnic tensions, conflict, animosity and dissatisfaction) constantly faced and endured by Guyanese, largely because of the artificially created demographics of Guyana. Think about it! If the leaders of the major ethnic political parties were ever to know that, come what may, they are guaranteed a term as President of Guyana every 5 years (or every 4 years, if this is considered more suitable for ‘a system of presidential rotation’) wouldn’t they be happy? Also, think about how much more peaceful Guyana would become… and even parliament would become a much more peaceful, cooperative and cultured environment – a very important development for fostering constructive and creative political growth and economic development- with equal love, care and consideration shown and delivered at all times, to all ethnic groups in Guyana, large and small. And, as I mentioned in my letter in Kaieteur News of January 11, 2019, while such a system of ‘presidential rotation’ restricts the democratic and electoral rights of minor political parties, this could be seen as a ‘trade off’ in exchange for national security, peace, the lessening of racial and electoral conflict and tensions, in addition to maintaining law and order, the security of a more stable system of governance and the encouraging of  foreign investment, through the necessary amendments to the constitution; that will most-likely however, require a national referendum.

Yours faithfully,

Faid Shahabuddeen