Ramotar takes office as new Guyana president, but opposition controls parliamentary agenda

Donald Ramotar was sworn in on Saturday as Guyana's seventh executive president.

In an address following the ceremony he acknowledged that his minority presidency and Government could have difficulty governing since his governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) no longer has a majority in parliament.

Ramotar said it would take a lot of skill and negotiation with the two opposition groups to run the country, noting that the party's rivals will have the opportunity of electing a speaker. 

He pledged to keep a dialogue with the opposition because it is the only way forward. "I do not anticipate that this process will be easy but I am prepared to work beyond the difficulties to ensure that our country does not regress,” he declared.

The combined opposition has one more seat than the PPP.

For the first time in two decades the opposition will determine the parliamentary agenda.