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El Salvador president proposes dramatic reduction in number of municipalities to reduce tax burden

by Gabriel Martinez
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El Salvador President’s Proposal: Reducing Municipalities and Lawmakers

San Salvador, El Salvador (BBN) – President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has put forth a proposal to significantly decrease the number of municipalities in the country, reducing the burden of taxes. The current count of 262 municipalities would be reduced to 44 under this plan. The approval of the country’s Legislative Assembly, where Bukele’s party and its allies hold the majority, would be required for the proposal to take effect. In addition to this reduction, Bukele also suggested reducing the number of lawmakers in the Assembly from 84 to 60.

Addressing the Issue of Municipality Overload

President Bukele questioned the necessity of having 262 municipalities in a territory spanning 8,100 square miles (21,000 square kilometers). During a speech commemorating his fourth year in office, he emphasized that the proposal aims to streamline the administrative divisions without eradicating local identities. Instead, the existing municipalities would be transformed into districts bearing the same names. It is important to note that the president’s New Ideas party currently holds the majority in most of the municipalities.

Opposition and Electoral Motivations

The conservative National Republican Alliance (Arena) party expressed skepticism regarding the motives behind this proposal, perceiving it as driven by electoral considerations. This concern is heightened by the fact that Bukele plans to seek re-election in the near future, despite a prevailing interpretation of the constitution that prohibits consecutive terms. In 2021, the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber, recently restructured by Bukele’s party, instructed electoral authorities to allow re-election, a decision disputed by constitutional scholars. Bukele publicly declared his intention to pursue re-election in September of last year. The Arena party’s congressional delegation criticized the president’s actions, accusing him of reshaping the country’s political landscape for electoral gains.

Searches on Former President’s Properties

During the same speech, President Bukele announced ongoing searches on all properties belonging to former President Alfredo Cristiani, who governed El Salvador from 1989 to 1994. The objective behind these searches remains unclear. In March of the previous year, a court had issued a warrant for Cristiani’s arrest, although he had already left the country. Prosecutors allege that Cristiani was aware of the military’s plan to assassinate six Jesuit priests and two others in 1989 but took no action to prevent the atrocity. Cristiani’s daughter released a statement last year denying her father’s knowledge of the military’s plans. The massacre, which occurred on November 16, 1989, was initially made to appear as if it had been executed by leftist guerrillas, but an elite commando unit was responsible for the killings. The victims included five Spaniards, one Salvadoran, a housekeeper, and the housekeeper’s daughter.

What is President Bukele’s proposal regarding municipalities in El Salvador?

President Bukele’s proposal is to reduce the number of municipalities in El Salvador from 262 to 44. The aim is to alleviate the tax burden and streamline administrative divisions while preserving local identities.

Will this proposal require approval from the Legislative Assembly?

Yes, the proposal will require approval from the Legislative Assembly. President Bukele’s party and its allies currently hold a majority in the Assembly.

What other changes did President Bukele propose?

In addition to reducing the number of municipalities, President Bukele also suggested decreasing the number of lawmakers in the Legislative Assembly from 84 to 60.

What is the opposition’s view on this proposal?

The conservative National Republican Alliance (Arena) party sees electoral motivations behind the proposal, particularly as President Bukele plans to seek re-election. There is a prevailing interpretation of the constitution that forbids consecutive re-election.

Why are searches being conducted on former President Alfredo Cristiani’s properties?

President Bukele announced searches on all properties belonging to former President Alfredo Cristiani. The objective of these searches has not been made clear. Prosecutors allege that Cristiani had knowledge of the military’s plan to assassinate Jesuit priests in 1989, but his daughter has denied these allegations.

Was the massacre of the Jesuit priests and others carried out by leftist guerrillas?

No, the massacre, which occurred on November 16, 1989, was initially made to appear as if it had been executed by leftist guerrillas. However, an elite commando unit was responsible for the killings.

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