Abinader sends constitutional reform project to the Senate with important changes

President Luis Abinader, through the legal advisor of the Executive Branch, Antoliano Peralta, sent to the Senate its constitutional reform project, with major changes of several articles of the Magna Carta.

Among the key changes, it is proposed that the Attorney General of the Republic be irremovable for two years, instead of the four years originally proposed. This correction responds, said Peralta, to recommendations from legal experts who considered such a long period to be excessive.

Live | Presentation of the Constitutional Reform Project https://t.co/KlfdkCKAvX

— Ricardo De Los Santos (@ricardodlsanto3) August 19, 2024

Abinader’s proposals for constitutional reform

Peralta explained that the president will suggest a single candidate for the Attorney General’s Office to the National Council of the Judiciary (CNM). If the candidate is rejected, another one will be presented.

Another constitutional reform seeks to unify municipal, congressional and presidential elections. The change would come into effect in 2032.

However, perhaps the most notable is that, among the proposals in the constitutional reform project, Abinader seeks to modify the constitutional “lock” to prevent the extension of mandates.

During his inaugural addressPresident Luis Abinader made this point in advance. In his speech, he stressed the importance of this measure. He mainly argued that its purpose is to guarantee that no president, either present or future, can remain in office beyond the two consecutive terms currently allowed by the Constitution.

Reduction in the number of deputies and other changes

The project also envisages reducing the number of MPs from 190 to 137, dividing them into 110 territorial MPs, 20 national MPs and 7 diaspora MPs. This measure would come into effect in 2028.