Assembly work postponed

[NewsWhore]

The Constitutional Revisory Assembly has postponed its sessions until Monday, due to conflicts that arose after the PLD party defied the pact signed between President Leonel Fernandez and PRD president Miguel Vargas Maldonado. The agreement signed by the two men stipulated that the opposition PRD majority in Congress could choose the last member of the National Magistrates Council, the body responsible for selecting judges. The PLD, in an alliance with the PRSC, violated the pact and voted to keep the status quo, angering the PRD and creating an impasse in the constitutional reform process. This simple act exposed the fragility of the pact signed between Fernandez and Vargas, which evidently does not guarantee that legislators vote for every stipulation in the act. As a result of this conflict, the Assembly was adjourned until Monday so that the Verification Committee can study Article 151 of the Constitution, on the National Magistrates Council. The joint PRD/PLD commission that was set up to explore possible solutions to the impasse was not able to come up with any tangible solutions, while the PRSC is concerned that the original decision, made on Monday, will be revoked. Vice President Rafael Alburquerque said that all would be done to make sure that PLD assembly members adhere to the terms of the agreement. He added that deals are made to be kept and is asking both sides to keep to their sides of the bargain. He said that he understands why PRD members are angered by this week's developments and that he regrets the fact that PLD members didn't adhere to the pact.

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