President Luis Abinader has convened the Economic and Social Council (CES) on 30 August 2021 to begin to discuss reforms the government considers essential for the country’s development. The Presidency says that all the political parties have confirmed their participation in the dialogue. The Economic and Social Council was created in National Development Strategy Law 1-12 as a table for national discussions.
In a letter to Rafael Toribio, coordinator of the CES, President Abinader requested the debate on presidential election not be included in the constitutional reform discussions. The 2015 Constitution establishes a Dominican can run for two times and then never again. “I want to make it clear that I will not accept or support any change to Article 124 on the presidential election,” says President Abinader.
The 2015 Constitution allows former Presidents Leonel Fernandez and Hipólito Mejía to seek the Presidency, not so former President Danilo Medina. Medina had sought in 2019 to reform the Constitution so that he could seek a third term in office.
In the letter to Toribio, President Abinader urged that the debate on constitutional reform be guided by the separation of powers to balance the redistribution of functions of the public administrations and to consolidate the firm commitment to the democratic exercise by popular sovereignty.
The President opens the discussions to focus on the Constitution, transparency and institutionalism, the electric sector, water, the National Police, state modernization, quality in education, social security, transportation and digital transformation. Other key issues to be debated in the discussions of the reforms are taxation (fiscal reform), labor and the hydrocarbons market.
The President says the issues to be addressed are broad and affect many areas. “That is why we suggest that the greatest number of sectors be invited to participate so that everyone feels included in the construction of the country we want,” stated the President
“Modernizing the Dominican Republic is a task for everyone, which requires work and generosity. That is why I want to dwell on something fundamental before beginning this process of dialogue,” he added in the letter. He then explains that the government is determined that the Dominican Republic takes an irreversible step to strengthen its institution and achieve modernity and the consolidation of democracy. “The Economic and Social Council has a fundamental role in this process, as it is the best catalyst to have a broad vision, include all sectors, elaborate integral proposals and channel them for the best success”, explains the President.
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Presidency
Acento
30 August 2021