Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader’s constitutional reform proposals aim to reduce the number of deputies from 190 to 137, starting with the 2032 elections. This plan includes cutting 53 elected positions, which Abinader argues will enhance the efficiency of the National Congress and significantly reduce public spending.
Under the proposal, the 137 deputies would be divided as follows: 110 deputies from constituencies (a reduction of 68), 20 national deputies, and seven legislators representing overseas constituencies.
Abinader noted substantial support for this initiative from numerous legislators, including Alfredo Pacheco, president of the Chamber of Deputies.
Additionally, Abinader introduced a new citizen participation initiative through his WhatsApp channel, #LAencuesta, encouraging direct interaction with the public. This platform allows citizens to express their opinions on key national issues through simple surveys.
The first #LAencuesta questions focus on proposals such as unifying presidential, congressional, and municipal elections starting in 2032, reducing the number of deputies in the National Congress, maintaining presidential term limits, and ensuring an independent, non-partisan Public Ministry.