The new president of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo
\nPacheco, has closed down several departments described as ?unnecessary,?
\nresulting in the dismissal of dozens of employees, with the aim of cutting costs
\nin the face of high debts. The affected departments include the communications
\ndirectorate and on-site medical facilities for deputies. Some reports indicate
\nthat as many as 300 people will lose their jobs, and that most of these are
\napparently ?botellas?, the term for political appointees, usually beneficiaries
\nof political patronage and relatives of government officials who draw a salary
\nbut do not fulfill any real productive function. Pacheco has not reported on the
\nhiring in the Chamber. According to earlier stories in the press, the day after
\nhis appointment long lines of PRD supporters queued up at the Chamber of
\nDeputies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … <\/p>\n