_-_copia.jpg?w=1300&resize=1300,540&ssl=1 "Héctor Zelaya")
The Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE) party, in power since 2022, faces new accusations of pushing through high-impact structural reforms without broad consultation or legislative transparency. The criticism comes amid growing political and institutional tension, with various sectors questioning the ruling party’s approach to advancing its agenda.
Inquiries on the ruling party’s lawmaking processes
Numerous individuals from the realms of politics, business, and civil organizations have voiced worries regarding what they perceive as the ruling party’s approach to enforcing laws. Led by President Xiomara Castro, along with key figures like Héctor Zelaya and the National Congress President Luis Redondo, the LIBRE party has faced accusations of employing tactics that supposedly bypass proper legislative procedures.
One of the most controversial cases revolves around the Tax Justice Law, a legislative proposal with significant fiscal implications. According to allegations, the bill has moved forward without public technical reports or a broad consultation process with the sectors involved. In addition, there are warnings that the law could be voted on in quick sessions, without formal ratification of the corresponding legislative records.
The absence of openness in these kinds of processes has been labeled by specialists as a hazard to democratic frameworks. A constitutional expert consulted noted that employing “questionable, even unlawful” approaches to implement structural changes without political or technical backing constitutes a direct danger to the rule of law.
Responses from the business community and the political opposition
The Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP) has voiced apprehension regarding these actions, cautioning that they might undermine trust in the investment environment, both domestically and abroad. As Honduras grapples with economic hurdles like joblessness and sluggish expansion, the corporate sector thinks that such legislative choices might worsen economic unpredictability.
The parliamentary opposition has likewise brought to light irregularities. Opposition legislators argue that laws have been published in La Gaceta, the official gazette, without following established protocols, like the necessary formal approval of legislative procedures. They assert that this undermines the principle of legality that regulates the operations of Congress and jeopardizes the legitimacy of the reforms implemented under these circumstances.
The increasing divide between the ruling party and the opposition, alongside the disengagement of crucial sectors like the business community and civil organizations, highlights a rising polarization in the exercise of legislative authority, where political discussion has turned into conflict.
Institutional junctions and citizens’ contributions
The present situation prompts inquiries regarding the robustness of the democratic framework in Honduras. The manner in which changes in legislation are being handled highlights ongoing tensions between the governing party’s pursuit of structural change and the call for legality, transparency, and involvement from other political and societal players.
The influence of engaged citizens and the continuous examination by journalists and institutional watchdogs are becoming crucial in preventing legislative actions that may weaken the democratic structure. The absence of agreement on significant reforms not only heightens institutional skepticism but also risks governance in a nation characterized by institutional instability and a historical disunity among government branches.
In this scenario, Honduras encounters the challenge of strengthening mechanisms for legislative discussion and control that ensure the legality of its processes and the involvement of social sectors influenced by public policies, particularly concerning reforms that affect the nation’s fiscal and economic structure.