The 12 laws approved by Congress in the first ordinary session did not have technical studies, according to a report presented by the organizations that make up the Efficient Congress.
The report measured the work of the Congress of the Republic from January 14 to May 15, with data collected by the Center for National Economic Research (CIEN), Guatemala Visible and Fíjate Bien.
The tenth legislature of the 2024-2028 period is made up of 16 blocks and 25 independent deputies. Among the latter, those elected by the Semilla Movement and two more separated from the Nosotros legislative block.
María Isabel Bonilla, a member of the Efficient Congress, said that 86 bill initiatives have been sent to committees. Of these, 48 projects were presented this year.
Without studies
According to the studies of Congreso Eficiente, the new laws issued by the legislature had no technical basis. Some bills had even been presented a decade ago.
“Of the 12 decrees approved, none of the initiatives that gave rise to them had a technical study, financial study or documentation justifying the need for the decree.”
According to Bonilla, this required in-depth studies, since it was necessary to determine whether the initiatives were still necessary.
“The problem we see is that these issues might have already evolved and been addressed in another way. The reality in 2024 indicates that these opinions should have been reviewed to see if they were worth it or if they were still necessary.”
The Efficient Congress recommended that Congress conduct studies on the laws to be approved, as well as maintain communication with the Executive, respecting the independence of powers, since laws of national benefit are necessary.
Legislative dialogue
Deputy Nery Rodas, member of the Permanent Commission, indicated that projects from previous years were promoted because deputies requested it, rewarding political dialogue between the Congressional benches.
“In the first few months, we have sought to move forward on important laws that had been stalled, and we have also presented new initiatives that are beneficial to Guatemalans. For example, the credit card law, health issues such as cancer care, and the discussion of initiatives for the economy, such as the competition law.”
Regarding dialogue, he believes that there is currently greater awareness of the issue. He therefore hopes that things can continue to improve.
#Congress #approved #laws #urgent #lacked #technical #support #organizations
