The President of Nicaragua’s National Assembly, Gustavo Porras, presented the main aspects of the partial constitutional reform to representatives of the country’s banks and microfinance institutions, as part of the second consultation process promoted by Parliament.
“We are facing a proposal to reform the Constitution with an objective that I believe concerns us all: guaranteeing stability, security and peace,” Porras emphasized during the consultation.
The initiative proposes changes to the terms of office of authorities, new provisions regarding eligibility for public office, and adjustments aimed at strengthening institutional stability.
Among the main changes is the extension of terms from five to seven years for popularly elected positions, authorities appointed by the Presidency of the Republic and ratified by the National Assembly, as well as officials elected by Parliament.
The proposal also incorporates the concept of “May not,” establishing that those who have participated in coup-related actions, acted against national independence, sovereignty and self-determination, are considered traitors to the homeland, or violated the fundamental principles of the Constitution may not be candidates or hold public office.
The initiative also incorporates the concept of PAX, which establishes January 18 as the inauguration date for the new authorities, in honor of the birth anniversary of Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío.
In terms of cohesion and security, the proposal seeks to standardize at seven years the terms of elected authorities, positions appointed by the Presidency of the Republic and ratified by the National Assembly, as well as officials elected by Parliament.
It also establishes the same term for the Commander-in-Chief of the Nicaraguan Army and the First Commissioner of the National Police, with the aim of strengthening institutional cohesion and coordination among the different State bodies.
The consultation took place at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nicaragua and constituted the second consultation exercise promoted by the National Assembly regarding the partial reform of the Constitution.
The meeting was chaired by National Assembly President Gustavo Porras and included the participation of Central Bank President Ovidio Reyes and Presidential Adviser for the Promotion of Investment, Trade and International Cooperation Laureano Ortega Murillo, together with representatives of the banking and microfinance sectors, who expressed their support for the constitutional reform proposal.
