NewsWhore
10-10-2006, 07:20 PM
According to President Leonel Fernandez, the proposed constituent assembly is not a convenient method for reforming the nation's constitution, as it would be highly laborious. Under tight security measures, the President addressed the nation from the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo (UASD)'s Aula Magna last night, in the presence of politicians, business representatives, public officials, civil society representatives and accredited diplomats, as reported by Clave Digital. In his one-and-a-half-hour speech, Fernandez stated that this reform should define the Dominican Republic as a social democratic state of law, should include the figure of Ombudsman, and establish the guardianship or protection recourse. In this way, Dominican society would be protected from abuses against its citizens and from the eventual takeover by a dictatorship, said Fernandez. The reform should also include a redefinition of the concept of nationality and the broadening of rights to incorporate second and third generation prerogatives. In what he said was an unprecedented move for a Dominican President, Fernandez favors a reduction in executive powers and asked for the "destruction" of article 55 of the current constitution, which gives the President extraordinary powers. He considers popular consultation to be the most appropriate mechanism for the reform, which should be related to the political, economic, social, technological and developmental aspects of the nation. The constitutional reform should be followed by other reforms that make up a modern state, and the public consultation should be as broad as possible, taking all the organizations in the country into account. A methodological aspect proposed by Fernandez asks for social organizations to send their reform proposals to the Technical Commission for Constitutional Reform, which is planning to conduct a plenary session.
Listin Diario reports that the presidents of the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, the Supreme Court of Justice, the Central Electoral Board, the Chancellor of UASD and the First Lady, Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez were all present. There was no representation from the main opposition party, in what could be considered a silent protest. Although the PRD has shown support for the principle of constitutional reform, the party is not in agreement about how it should be done. They have made it clear that they would prefer a constituent assembly to a reform by a committee of experts, which is how Fernandez is choosing to do it.
Leonel Fernandez's justification for not electing a Constituent Assembly is that this reform does not represent a break from the old order, but rather its improvement, which can well be done with a Revising Assembly as established in the standing Constitution. Fernandez considers the public consultations for this reform a true "democratic revolution" for the country.
According to El Caribe, President Fernandez complained that the standing constitution does not have a preamble, and read those of several other countries' constitutions, including the United States. The preamble of the reformed constitution should include several clauses about the Dominican nation's fundamental values and principles, according to the President.
Diario Libre adds that the President also re-stated his belief that the members of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) should not be chosen by the Senate.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)
Listin Diario reports that the presidents of the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, the Supreme Court of Justice, the Central Electoral Board, the Chancellor of UASD and the First Lady, Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez were all present. There was no representation from the main opposition party, in what could be considered a silent protest. Although the PRD has shown support for the principle of constitutional reform, the party is not in agreement about how it should be done. They have made it clear that they would prefer a constituent assembly to a reform by a committee of experts, which is how Fernandez is choosing to do it.
Leonel Fernandez's justification for not electing a Constituent Assembly is that this reform does not represent a break from the old order, but rather its improvement, which can well be done with a Revising Assembly as established in the standing Constitution. Fernandez considers the public consultations for this reform a true "democratic revolution" for the country.
According to El Caribe, President Fernandez complained that the standing constitution does not have a preamble, and read those of several other countries' constitutions, including the United States. The preamble of the reformed constitution should include several clauses about the Dominican nation's fundamental values and principles, according to the President.
Diario Libre adds that the President also re-stated his belief that the members of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) should not be chosen by the Senate.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)