The Congressional Constitutional Revisory Assembly is set to give its final approval to the controversial constitutional reform bill on Monday, 14 October 2024 following heated debates and political maneuvering. The proposed changes, backed by the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), have sparked significant opposition. The PRM and allies are said to have the vote of 146 of 190 deputies and 28 of 32 senators.
The plenary session, scheduled for 2pm, will mark the second reading of the bill, which aims to amend ten articles of the 2015 Dominican Constitution. Despite opposition claims that the reforms are unnecessary, the PRM and its allies hold a commanding majority in both chambers of Congress, ensuring a likely passage.
Key provisions of the proposed reforms include:
• The number of deputies will be decreased from 190 to 170.
• The Abogado General de la Administración Pública replaces that the Procurador General Administrativo who will work from the newly named Oficina del Abogado General de la Administración Pública. The head position is named by the Presidency.
• The Procurador General de la República will be selected by the National Council of the Magistracy and will serve a non-renewable term of two years. The incumbent cannot have been active in politics for the past five years.
• The president of the Constitutional Court is named to the National Council of the Magistracy.
• Municipal, congressional, and presidential elections will be unified for the 2032 electoral cycle.
• Term limits: The President will be limited to two consecutive terms.
• Art. 268 is created to guarantee that no elected government official can benefit from a constitutional reform made during the term of the government official.
Opposition lawmakers have consistently argued that the proposed reforms are unnecessary and could undermine democratic institutions. However, the ruling party has dismissed these concerns, asserting that the changes are needed to improve governance and strengthen the rule of law.
The Abinader administration has submitted to Congress recently three major reforms — of the Constitution, the Labor Code and the Tax Code.
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Listin Diario
14 October 2024