Former President Leonel Fernandez will be sworn in to the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) on 31 January in Guatemala, where the organization is based. Fernandez is also president of the ruling PLD.
The Central American Parliament is made up of 20 representatives from member states in Central America and the Dominican Republic. It establishes that the presidents of member countries will be elected to the organization after the end of their term of office. During the term the members of parliament enjoy immunity and privileges.
The organization has been criticized for spending a lot and providing few results to regional integration. Parlacen is comprised of 20 lawmakers from each of the member countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic, as well as Mexico, Chile and Brazil are regional observers. Taiwan, Spain, Germany and Japan are extra-regional observers. Costa Rica declined membership in the organization that is known for its spending rather than for its achievements.
www.elcaribe.com.do/2014/01/23/parlacen-juramentara-leonel-este-31-enero