The disagreements between Vice President Karin Herrera and President Bernardo Arévalo due to the reduction of Herrera’s salary, only cause more wear, subtract credibility from the government and can even affect governance due to the importance of working together, analysts agreed.
Raquel Zelaya, of the Association of Research and Social Studies (thus), points out that, in principle, the presidential binomial should deal with the matter in private, since because of the way it transcended, it complicates the governance of a government that in the last month has had to face protests and blockages.
“A good relationship between the binomial is not perceived, if it is taken into account that the Political Constitution gives the vice president very important functions. We hope that the lesson is learned and that it is part of a dialogue between them, so that they have a better working relationship,” he said.
It is credibility
For his part, lawyer Edgar Ortiz argues that it is not governance, but rather the image and credibility that the leaders project before public opinion, which creates discomfort.
“A fracture between them is shown, especially because of the response that the vice president has given. Even her statements have evidenced that fracture,” he says.
“The vice president, for the constitutional design, is isolated and with little power, but are the type of issues that irritate the population. They look like small things, but outrak. It is a blow in terms of credibility and public opinion,” he said.
The independent political analyst Jorge Wong points out that the problem must be resolved as soon as possible, before he climbed to a political crisis, as has happened with the president and vice president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa and Verónica Abad, respectively, who accuses the president of trying to take her away from power.
“Here a difference is denoted when the president gave an order and it was expected that the Vice did the same, which was right when the president did,” he said.
“Herrera must show that they are in the same line: the salary down and, two, return the amount of salary he received and that he was more,” he added.
The consequence, according to Wong, is that the president will lose confidence in the vice president by not complying with the provisions, and one of Herrera’s main functions is to replace the president in his absence, either by trips abroad or other circumstances.
“If the controversy with the vice president is not settled in the right time and within the sphere of the same Executive Branch, a scenario of unnecessary confrontation could be generated before national and international opinion that would end up wearing up the current government,” he said.
Attributions
The Vice President of Guatemala must mainly lead those instances, councils and commissions assigned by law or by designation of the President of the Republic. Its role is not only of accompaniment, but also of leadership in strategic areas, especially related to social development, food security, gender equality, science, technology and attention to vulnerable sectors.
Among the responsibilities of the Vice Presidency is to coordinate and direct the Social Development Cabinet or the National Food and Nutrition Security Council (Conasan). You can also lead special commissions on issues of national interest, such as migration, childhood, women’s rights or innovation.
For the political analyst Álvaro Pop, the salary issue of the vice president only evidences labor disorder with the president.
“We do not know what so much communication and coordination have in their actions. They have high challenges and their discords affect the functions of the security cabinet, social security and economic cabinet, because they need coordination,” he said.
Pop points out that, unlike the rest of Latin America, in Guatemala the position of vice president is of the utmost importance, because it coordinates the entire food security system, ensures compliance with public policies in the framework of social development and is in charge of the technical tables of indigenous peoples.
“Coordination between the two is essential not only by image, but for results. There will be people who will see it as the party is not convinced of austerity. Others will say that austerity was not a priority. There will be those who will say that the Arévalo team was not prepared to win the elections,” he said.
For Pop, there is also a lack of leadership that is reflected in a bad communication strategy.
Similar case
From the first year of the mandate of President Alejandro Giammattei, a distancing with vice president Guillermo Castillo was evidenced. Even when the first year of government was completed, both fulfilled their agenda separately. Giammattei presented to Congress the first year’s achievement report with the absence of Castillo, who was in the province.
Article 190 of the Political Constitution of the Republic establishes that the vice president must be elected in the same form, together with the President of the Republic, in the same way and for the same period.
Functions of the president
- Its functions are established in article 183 of the Political Constitution of the Republic.
- He is the Head of State, Head of Government and General Commander of the Army.
- It represents the country nationally and internationally and ensures compliance with the Constitution and laws.
- Appoint and remove ministers, vice ministers, secretaries and other executive officials.
- He sanctions, enacts and enforces the laws approved by Congress.
- You can propose legislative initiatives when you consider it necessary.
- He directs foreign policy, signature international treated, maintains diplomatic relations and represents the country to other international states and organizations.
- Grants pursuing pardons or commutations, in the cases and conditions established by law.
Functions of the Vice President
- It is the second authority of the executive agency.
Assumes a complementary and support role to the President of the Republic.
His figure is contemplated in the Political Constitution as an essential part of the presidential binomial.
Its main function is to collaborate with the president in the direction of executive affairs. - It replaces the president in cases of temporary absence, impediment or when he expressly delegates some function.
Participate in the Government Cabinet, where key decisions on public administration and state policies are made.
Coordinates programs, specific cabinets, national advice or strategic issues such as social development, food security, science, innovation or gender equity.
Support the formulation and execution of public policies.