Martinelli Appoints Antinori To Head Consultation Process on Constitutional Amendments

(Panama-Guide) - La Estrella  - The window to discuss the issue of constitutional reforms is opening and it seems like the government is hitting the throttle. What has been in preparation for several months is not about to take shape. Panama's president Ricardo Martinelli said he will open an extensive process of public consultations on the comprehensive revision of the Constitution. Through a press release it was reported the lawyer and former Ombudsman Italo Antinori Bolaños will lead a team working under the guidelines of the presidential palace. Antinori, a former "Defensor del Pueblo" (human rights watchdog) will coordinate with the Ministry of the Presidency, and will be responsible for carrying out this "broad consultation process" with all components of society. "We learned about the lack of consultation that has taken place with some recently passed laws such as Law 30 and Law 8. This is not going to be a repeat. We now open a broad consultation process. These comprehensive reforms to the Constitution will not happen overnight," said Martinelli.

Topics - On December 29, 2010, just before the New Year's holidays, the Government in a press release reported their intentions to change the Constitution, which at that time they called an "evaluation." The themes mentioned at that time were: the possibility of reducing from 10 years to five (5) years the possibility for presidential reelection, establish in Panama a second round of national elections (in case a candidate does not win a clear majority in the first round), include the nationwide election of deputies to the National Assembly, the election of governors by direct popular vote, and the approval of the extradition of Panamanian nationals who are linked to acts of terrorism, drug trafficking and murder. In addition, the President had indicated they would consider the incorporation of two new government programs - the universal scholarships and the "$100 for 70" program that benefits the adults over age 70 who have not received any pension or retirement. Two and a half months later, the Government seems to be meticulous about these issues. On this occasion there was no mention of any of these plans, and they said the entire Constitution would be open to review. "The President said that, at present, the issues and targets for reform have not been fully defined, and he said there would be a comprehensive review of the constitution," said the Presidency on Monday 14 March.

Who is Antinori? - The first Ombudsman of Panama was Dr. Antinori Bolaños, chosen by the Deputies of the National Assembly on 27 June 1997, a leading Panamanian lawyer whose term expired on March 31, 2001. In the former Legislative Assembly, he received 49 votes of the 69 deputies who voted, an absolute majority. Antinori's mission would be complicated by opposition (PRD) deputies, if the government realizes his plan on the issue of reelection, president Martinelli could run again for president in the 2019 elections, after having completed 5 years on the sidelines after the 2014 elections.

*************

Original Source: Panama-Guide.com

Date Retrieved: March 15, 2011.