Faced with new challenges due to the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, which could be aggravated by the geopolitical crisis generated after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, President Luis Abinader will present his second accountability the next February 27.
Inflation and the upward trend in the prices of oil derivatives and basic necessities, among others, will force the president to reorient his address to the country, on the occasion of commemorating the 178th anniversary of National Independence.
These are the second reports of the Head of State, accepting the constitutional mandate, which has among its responsibilities to report each year to the National Congress of the budgetary, financial and management administration of the previous year. Said report must include the reports of the ministries of the State and other governmental instances.
bliss accountabilityaccording to article 114 of the Constitution, must be accompanied by an explanatory message of the macroeconomic and fiscal projections, the expected economic, financial and social results and the main priorities that the government intends to execute within the General Budget Law of the State approved for 2022.
The president will speak before a joint meeting of both legislative chambers: the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, in the Hall of the National Assembly, located in the seat of the Legislative Power.
According to the latest Central Bank report on the international environment published last Friday and entitled: “The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens world recovery”, the outbreak of that war puts Europe at the gates of the largest armed conflict since 1945 and constitutes a threat to the recovery of the global economy after two years of the pandemic.
The document expresses that, according to experts, this conflict will result “in greater turbulence in energy prices and greater inflationary pressures.”
Also, price increases are projected, especially in the countries most dependent on gas imports and cereals that arrive from the region.
First legislature of the year begins
Prior to the solemn act, the arrival of the 222 congressmen is expected from 8 in the morning; 32 senators and 190 deputies.
At 9 in the morning in the hemicycles of both chambers, the first ordinary legislature corresponding to the legislative year 2022-2023 will begin.
A salvo of 21 cannon shots will be heard standing up and both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies will designate commissions to receive the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, upon his arrival at the headquarters of the National Congress.
According to the usual established protocol, a bicameral commission will receive the Head of State on the front esplanade of the National Congress and another bicameral commission will wait for him on the steps, located on the side of the Senate, to accompany him to the Hall of the National Assembly.
Likewise, the presidents of the Senate, Eduardo Estrella, and of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco, will designate congressional commissions to place floral offerings at the Altar of the Fatherland, located in Parque Independencia, in Ciudad Nueva.
Then, from 9:30 in the morning, the transfer of the legislators to the Hall of the National Assembly is scheduled to begin.
Five minutes later, the president of the Senate, Eduardo Estrella, is expected to start the work of the joint meeting of the legislative chambers.
At 9:40 in the morning, the arrival of the Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña, widow of Antuña, is expected to wait for Abinader. The president plans to arrive at 9:45 in the morning, accompanied by his wife, the First Lady, Raquel Arbaje.
After receiving the honors, President Luis Abinader will go up with his companions and the bicameral entourage to the Hall of the National Assembly.
The first speech will be given by the President of the Senate, Eduardo Estrella, and then the speech of the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, is scheduled.
The Te Deum and the Floral Offering
Around 12 noon, the Te deum has been organized in the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, in thanksgiving for the National Independence Day.
The religious ceremony, which will take place in the Private Cathedral of America, is usually presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Santo Domingo, Monsignor Francisco Ozoria Acosta.
The events on the occasion of the National Independence Day will be broadcast live through various electronic platforms, including a radio and television network, social networks and digital pages.
Last year, to avoid crowds due to the incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the press was not allowed access to the Te Deum.
After this solemn religious act, the Head of State and his entourage will go to the Altar of the Fatherland to lay a floral offering.
This year, like the previous one, the usual military parade will not be held due to the pandemic.
Congressional expectations
Last Thursday legislators from different political parties told Diario Libre that President Luis Abinader should refocus his speech before the National Congress and announce a series of measures to alleviate the economic repercussions that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could cause the country.
The deputies Amado Díaz, Elías Wessin Chávez and Máximo Castro Silverio and Senator Yván Lorenzo hope that actions will be implemented to compensate the rises in the prices of fuels and basic necessities, among others, that through the Stabilization Institute Prices (Inespre) open new markets for the sale of agricultural products, increase the amount of aid through government social programs and adopt austerity measures, as well as raise awareness among the population in this regard.
