The new president of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo
Pacheco, has closed down several departments described as ?unnecessary,?
resulting in the dismissal of dozens of employees, with the aim of cutting costs
in the face of high debts. The affected departments include the communications
directorate and on-site medical facilities for deputies. Some reports indicate
that as many as 300 people will lose their jobs, and that most of these are
apparently ?botellas?, the term for political appointees, usually beneficiaries
of political patronage and relatives of government officials who draw a salary
but do not fulfill any real productive function. Pacheco has not reported on the
hiring in the Chamber. According to earlier stories in the press, the day after
his appointment long lines of PRD supporters queued up at the Chamber of
Deputies.