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Constitution must be opened at some point, say legislators
🇧🇴 Bolivia /Elections & Politics

Constitution must be opened at some point, say legislators

From El Deber · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Bolivian legislators believe the country's Political Constitution must be amended at some point to change the current economic model.
  • Legislator Carlos Alarcón has presented the first proposal to modify the Magna Carta, suggesting the removal of 30 articles.
  • Opposition parties argue that constitutional changes are necessary before approving new investment laws to ensure legal certainty for foreign investors.

Bolivian legislators are increasingly convinced that the nation's Political Constitution must be opened for amendments to facilitate changes to the country's economic model. This sentiment follows the presentation of a project by Deputy Carlos Alarcón, marking the first formal attempt to alter the Magna Carta.

Several lawmakers have echoed Alarcón's assertion that constitutional reform is inevitable. They argue that without prior changes to the foundational law, the government cannot effectively implement a new economic framework. Deputy José Maldonado of the Libre party stated, "The Constitution has to be opened at some point, and even more so when the Executive is proposing a package of laws. We have already started. It sent, as I said, the Investment bill that must first have legal certainty."

The Constitution has to be opened at some point, and even more so when the (Organ) Executive is proposing a package of laws. We have already started. It sent, as I said, the Investment bill that must first have legal certainty.

— José MaldonadoDeputy José Maldonado of the Libre party explains the necessity of constitutional reform to support new legislation.

The current Political Constitution of the State (CPE) has been in effect since February 7, 2009, following its approval in a referendum. Deputy Alarcón's proposal specifically targets 30 articles for removal from the Constitution. Opposition parties are demanding these constitutional modifications precede the approval of new laws, asserting that this is crucial for attracting foreign investment and establishing legal security.

Deputy Sandra Rivero of the PDC commented on the upcoming Investment bill, predicting significant controversy. "You can't put on your shoes and then your socks," she analogized, emphasizing that structural changes require constitutional amendments first. The Economic Policy commission is set to begin reviewing this bill next week, initiating a period of "socialization." This investment bill is the first of eleven proposed by the Executive Branch to be debated in parliament.

You can't put on your shoes and then your socks, if someone wants to touch the structure, first we have to touch the Political Constitution of the State.

— Sandra RiveroDeputy Sandra Rivero of the PDC uses an analogy to stress the importance of constitutional changes before altering economic structures.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Deber in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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