No AFC alliance as APNU announces coalition with WPA

The APNU/WPA Coalition has declared its readiness and confidence to contest the 2025 General and Regional Elections, even as uncertainty continues to surround ongoing discussions with the Alliance For Change (AFC) about the possibility of a renewed partnership.

The statement comes amid growing public interest in whether a formal coalition between the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)—the largest party in APNU—and the AFC will materialise ahead of the polls.

While Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has said the PNCR has “not closed the door on any partnerships,” he has not provided any clarity on the likelihood of an official alliance with the AFC.

The announcement of the APNU/WPA coalition is also notable, given that the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has traditionally been a longstanding member of the broader APNU coalition. The formal reassertion of the WPA as a distinct partner in this new configuration raises questions about internal coalition dynamics and the nature of the opposition’s electoral strategy.

Despite these uncertainties, the coalition expressed strong confidence in its ability to win, stating it has been actively preparing for the elections and is committed to contesting.

The coalition outlined three key reasons for entering the race:

1. Preventing Political Domination: It argued that boycotting the election would hand the PPP unchallenged control over national and regional governance, with “disastrous and irreversible” consequences for the country.

2. Providing an Electoral Alternative: The coalition said it had a responsibility to offer Guyanese voters a clear option to reject the PPP through the ballot.

3. Confidence in Victory: Despite what it views as a compromised system, the coalition is confident it can prevail if the elections are conducted fairly.

Nonetheless, the APNU/WPA remains deeply concerned about the vulnerabilities in the current electoral process, including what it sees as a bloated and unverified voters’ list and the absence of fingerprint biometrics at the place of poll.