December 12, 2024, 4:00 AM
December 12, 2024, 4:00 AM
From November 8, when the last legislative administration 2024-2025 began, until December 12, the Chamber of Deputies met only once and for a period of half an hour, it did not debate any bill and only reported the formation of commissions and committees.
Parliamentarians of this legislative body admit that the institutional crisis persists, which worsened last year when Israel Huaytari presided over the Deputies. They thought that with a new board, things were going to change, but they see the same panorama.
Deputies have two issues of national interest that must be debated, such as Budget Bill 003/2024-2025 General of the State (PGE) 2025, the bill for the redistribution of seats that the Electoral Body awaits. In addition, there is the approval of international credits and the formation of the Ethics Commission.
Given the lack of a call for a chamber session, criticism is pouring in against the new board, especially against Omar Yujra, its president, who on Monday assured that this week they were going to meet to discuss the PGE 2025 project, but the only call that there was that of David Choquehuanca to discuss the end of the year break.
“It is regrettable that Mr. Omar Yujra does not rise to the occasion, that he does not assume the responsibility he has with this legislative body, but above all his responsibility with the country that is waiting for solutions to the structural crisis that we are going through. (…) this man has decided to be conspicuous by his absence in the faithful style of Israel Huaytari and hide your head like a scoundrel,” said deputy Luisa Nayar (CC), referring to the absence of chamber sessions.
‘Political will’
The deputy Gustavo Vega, who is part of the chamber leadership, in time to admit The failure of the board to convene sessions, he argued, was due to a lack of political will.
“There is no political will from several legislators, nor from the opposition, it will be very difficult to debate and raise it; and finally this General State Budget is approved. Obviously the president of the State also has the power, by the Constitution, to approve by decree,” stated the parliamentarian.
The salary of a deputy currently amounts to 23,310 bolivianos per month and that of a senator is one more boliviano, or 23,311 bolivianos. Each year, the assembly members receive 12 salaries, plus the Christmas bonus that is given in December and which is equal to a full monthly salary, that is, they receive 13 salaries from the State coffers, which is equivalent to 303,043 bolivianoss annually per parliamentarian, that is, they receive 830 bolivianos per day.
While its president, Omar Yujra, is very active participating in fair openings, meetings with diplomats, camaraderie recognitions, as well as his colleagues who also participate in construction inaugurations or appear in the delivery of student scholarships given by private universities.s.