Last night you heard Opposition Leader John Briceno talk about his party’s chances in the upcoming municipal elections. He seemed encouraged if not altogether inspired and that’s possibly because Briceno is leading a cash strapped party into what he knows will be an expensive election. But another reason for his apparent diffidence may be that Briceno’s party is divided. The rift between the old guard and the new still has not healed. And, let’s not forget, as politically moribund as it was – the PUP led by the old guard still earned 39% of the vote in the last general election.
But the PUP of February 7th is no more, the shot callers Said Musa and Ralph Fonseca have been relegated to the sidelines.....but where does that leave the party’s followers who were “que viva” no matter what? We’re not sure, but as the party celebrates its 58th anniversary it’s going through either a rebirth, a second puberty or an identity crisis....whatever the case, so close to an election, such changes can’t be considered a good thing.
When we spoke to Party Leader Briceno two weeks ago, we asked him about the importance of getting those old guard supporters to back his new leadership.
Jules Vasquez,
There is still 40% of the electorate that voted for the PUP and under the leadership of Said Musa and with the support of Ralph Fonseca, it seems from the outside that you have made a very deliberate strategy of distancing yourself from those personalities. Do you risk at the same time alienating that 40% support that came in for Said and Ralph despite all the campaigning?
Hon. Johnny Briceno, PUP Leader
“The 40% of people that voted for the PUP, they are party supporters and I can assure you right now that they are a lot of PUPs that did not support us in that election and many of them are disenchanted, they are disappointed, and would like to turn back the clock so they could correct that wrong they did on the 7th of February so that our numbers are increasing, the support that we are getting is better. And wherever we go, this is what gives me more confidence, gives me more energy, it fills me with hope, that wherever you go in this country there is still a lot of good will for the PUP.”
As part of the activities to celebrate the PUP’s 58th anniversary, on Sunday the party will have a national party council meeting and thanksgiving service at its Independence Hall headquarters. It’s left to be seen if immediate past leader Said Musa will be asked to address the gathering.
