The electoral reform presents a serious problem here. Many nations have moved towards consecutive re-elections and modification of their Constitutions to allow multiple re-elections, but I believe the thirst for power has made many forget the reason why the "Nunca Jamas" was inserted in the constitution to begin with. It's to avoid dictatorial rule and the Trujillo-esque problems associated with it.
Fernandez is smarter than this and I guarantee he knows that by amending the constitution he is only opening the door for future leaders to take advantage of re-election, a la Balaguer. With an ability to be re-elected don't doubt that there would be an increase in electoral fraud in order to guarantee a candidates success at the poles. But what does Fernandez care, he'll either be dead or France once this happens.
He has cultivated his image based on his intellectual capacity, but has based his policies in the same light as Balaguer, sans the murders and intimidation. End of the day this is a Pandora's box. Honestly, think about it, would you want Hipolito Mejia or Miguel Vargas as president for 4, 8, or 12 years?!?!?
As for the Jus Solis and Jus Sanguis amendments, I can see the tangible changes and the issues this addresses, but how much of this particular reform is related to Haitian migration. If we were neighbors with a more developed nation, would there be the need to insert such parameters in the Magna Carta?
But there is a twist, as reported on DR1 yesterday. The reform does include the possibility of obtaining citizenship if the parent is unknown: But Dominican nationality would be granted to children whose parents are unknown, usually the poorest. Another exception is in cases where the country of origin does not grant nationality to children of citizens born outside its territory.
I guess it is all up to legal interpretations and precedents set in the courts.
As per other proposed reforms, I believe that combining congressional elections with the presidential elections is a GREAT idea. I am tired of the constant bombarding of political BS. Every two years there is an election for something. It's expensive and it needs to stop. Could there be an increase in fraud due to the limits of the electoral system? Don't know.
And finally I think many of the men here who marry a Dominican woman would be happy with this purposed reform: It also amends the current discriminatory rule, allowing a man, and not only a woman, as at present, to opt for Dominican nationality upon marrying a Dominican national.
Interested to read responses,
Mr. Lu
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