Leonel Fernández denounces constitutional reform proposal as unnecessary

Santo Domingo.- Leonel Fernández, President of the Fuerza del Pueblo (FP) party, declared that the proposed constitutional reform by President Luis Abinader is unnecessary. Fernández’s critique, presented during a Weekly Lunch hosted by the Corripio Communications Group, focused on the proposal’s aim to enhance the independence of the Public Ministry. According to Fernández, this independence is already secured under Article 170 of the Constitution and the Organic Law of the Public Ministry.

Fernández expressed surprise that Abinader’s reform request claims to strengthen the Public Ministry’s autonomy, a feature Fernández believes is already constitutionally established. He argued that the government’s current push for reform contradicts its previous stance denying the Public Ministry’s independence. Fernández also highlighted that the President’s confusion might stem from conflating the roles of the Attorney General and the Public Ministry.

Fernández further criticized the notion that the reform would be unprecedented, suggesting that its scope is overstated compared to the more comprehensive 2010 constitutional reforms. He questioned the need for such changes when the core issues of independence and appointment procedures are already addressed.