Archive
Amending The Constitution In Honduras
A political storm is brewing on the horizon here in Honduras. The current President, Manuel ‘Mel’ Zelaya, is termed out and cannot run for reelection in the presidential election being held November 29th.
Mel has declared a special “election” for June 29th. This election is a nonbinding question to Honduran citizens asking them if they want to place a constitution revision committee (National Constituent Assembly) on the November 29th ballot. If approved in November, this committee would then have the authority to revise the Honduran Constitution.
The President has not stated such, but it is widely believed that part of the constitutional revision would have something to do with Mel continuing on as President.
This maneuver has attracted an explosion of controversy, with claims of unconstitutionality. Opponents state that the current constitution allows for change, and this is not the proper way. Supporters maintain that the country is not functioning well and it is time for a constitutional review.
The current Honduran Constitution is the country’s sixteenth since independence, which was ratified in 1982 following the end of the last period of military rule.
This has the potential to be a major issue in November. Stay tuned.
