Hoy newspaper’s front page headline story denounces that groups of senators and deputies of the three political parties are moving so as to reform the Constitution before the sessions end on 26 July. The congressmen seek to reform the Constitution in order to bring together presidential and congressional and municipal elections. They argue that it is too costly for the country to hold two separate elections. Others say that what the congressmen really want is to be able to retain their jobs, that are among the highest paying and least demanding in the public sector. If the Constitution is reformed, they would remain in their posts until the next presidential election set for May 2004. President Mejia appointed a commission to propose reforms to the Constitution. The commission requested a 30-day extension on the time given to present the proposals. Polls have revealed the generality of the Dominican population opposes that the present senators and deputies stay at their posts by way of a tailor-made constitutional reform. The same polls show Dominicans do not agree with congressmen’s rush to reform the Constitution.
