This Thursday, May 15, the first ordinary session of the Congress of the Republic concludes, marked by low legislative productivity compared to previous years. During the 19 sessions, the Plenary approved four decrees and four legislative agreements.
This performance contrasts with the same period of 2024 – the first of the tenth legislature – when 26 ordinary sessions were held and a solemn, and 12 decrees and 21 legislative agreements were approved.
According to political analysts, low legislative production has multiple causes, including the lack of consensus, internal tensions between banks and disinterest in key issues for the development of the country.
I think that, Although last year there was a greater legislative performance, it was not a better year than this, in the sense that, if one really analyzes what they have approved and what are the issues that need to approve, it is clear that we still have in debtsays analyst Luis Mack.
The political stagnation that has been experienced since January seriously affects the national agenda. I mean political, social, institutional and administrative issues. This lack of advance is to the direct detriment of the population, says Óscar Morales, an independent analyst.
In the same line Alejandro Quinteros is expressed, also a political analyst, who considers that the lack of agreements has been detrimental to Guatemala. With the coming and going of recent weeks, the country loses. The necessary reforms for economic and social development are not being approved. We finish this period without substantial advances and now comes the legislative break, he said.
Interpellations that do not advance
Of the 19 sessions summoned, five went to the interpellation of the Minister of Health, Joaquín Barnoya, promoted by Deputy Bequer Chocooj, of the Cabal Block.
This political trial began on March 6 and to date advanced to the tenth of 35 questions from the Base Questionnaire. The sessions have been repeatedly suspended due to lack of quorum, which has paralyzed the progress of both the process and other legislative issues.
In addition, there are other interpellations: to the Minister of Communications, Miguel Ángel Díaz, at the initiative of Deputy Inés Castillo, of the National Unit of Hope (UNE), and the Minister of Environment, Patricia Orantes, promoted by Deputy Miguel Ovalle, also of the UNE.
Salary increase generates tension
Another issue that marked the session was the salary increase that entered into force in February with the approval of the majority of the Board of Directors. The measure generated rejection in different social sectors and caused strategic absences by some deputies.
At the end of March, the president of Congress, Nery Ramos, announced that the Board of Directors would present a motion to leave the salary increase of the 160 deputies. However, the proposal did not prosper, since several block leaders avoided attending the sessions where the issue would be discussed, which prevented the motion from reaching the plenary. As a result, no plenary sessions were held during the two weeks prior to Holy Week.
This situation also generated that stagnation, since many deputies did not go to the hemicycle as long as that privileged motion was not known to be able to repeal the agreement through which this increase in the salary was made. Obviously, it has been shown that they – the deputies – do not want and are not going to touch that issue, says analyst Luis Mack.
Called to resume the course
The experts agree that, to overcome the current stagnation, it is essential that the Board of Directors of the Congress and the different legislative blocks establish a minimum country agenda that prioritizes urgent issues and allows to unlock the legislative work.
My suggestion is that they feel to negotiate. The president of the Congress must summon the managers and the block leaders to reach consensus. Otherwise, this stagnation will continue during the recess and in the second ordinary period. They should also reflect on the salary they are receiving without being properly justified, says Morales.
For its part, Quinteros proposes that basic objectives for the extraordinary period, which could be used to advance commissions and address urgent issues. The break should not be interpreted as vacations. The deputies have the obligation to continue working, at least from the commissions, to carry out country issues, he said.