Puerto Rican Independence Party proposes constitutional assembly
The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), proposed on Tuesday a Constitutional Assembly to draft a new Magna Carta and a create a new relationship with the United States after what independence leaders termed “an unprecedented extraordinary achievement (of ousting Gov. Ricardo Rosselló) by the People of Puerto Rico through a union of wills.”
The PIP’s initiative for a new Constitution, announced in a press conference by its president, Rubén Berríos, proposes that the people, prior to the next elections, be able to approve some “emergency amendments to the current constitution to become effective for the 2020 elections.”
These amendments would provide for an open special election to elect a new Governor when a permanent vacancy occurs in the office, authorize the recall referendum so that the people can dismiss a governor and arrange for a second election round between the two candidates with the greater number of votes when none of the candidates obtained an absolute majority.
“Today, the PIP presents these proposals not only to face the immediate crisis but to direct the sovereign will of our people to build a new Puerto Rico. It aims to serve as a starting point and, therefore, is subject to amendments and modifications that others have to do well. The People of Puerto Rico have achieved an extraordinary goal and, facing the future, the question is: now what? The most diverse sectors have already begun to present ideas and meritorious initiatives and in view of that reality, a broad, inclusive and participatory procedure must be established, a channel that serves to collect these and other proposals,” Berríos said.
Read more: http://www.sanjuanweeklypr.com/pdf/Aug-7-19/local.pdf
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