“Private property is recognized”

Interview with Carlos Romero MAS assembly delegate and coauthor of Constitution text. September 19

Assemblyman Carlos Romero (Movement Toward Socialism, MAS) headed a technical team responsible for fine-tuning the text of the Political Constitution of the State (CPE). Yesterday he spoke with La Razón once the text had been submitted to his MAS colleagues at the Casa Argandoña for consideration.

Are there changes to the CPE text revealed by MAS on August 15?

There are several modifications. There were repetition, gaps and contradictions that had to be overcome.

How will MAS deal with indigenous autonomies?

Their viability can be immediately insured by converting indigenous territories into indigenous municipalities and, gradually into regions, under conditions that will be established in a special law.

There will definitely not be a fourth branch of government?

No. Perhaps initially there was an intention to create a state entity of “social power.” But there is a basic problem with that; social power cannot be part of the state structure. We have seen that it is impossible to institutionalize social control mechanisms because they become bureaucratized and politically dependent.

What land redistribution method is the MAS project considering?

Basically, the reversion, without compensation, of properties that make up large estates, do not fulfill a socio-economic function or are not up to date on tax obligations.

What about private property?

Private property will be recognized as an individual and collective right, in the same terms as it is now; that is, subject to the condition of fulfilling a social function. It is incorporated in the bill of rights of the constitution, in the section dealing with economic and social rights, which are collective rights, meaning belonging to the entire population: collective ownership, but exercised individually.

Does it still eliminate presidential and vice-presidential term limits?

Continual re-election is already possible but through a referendum mechanism. We just made it simpler by eliminating this step.

What languages will be recognized as official?

All languages are recognized as official, but the principal of linguistic territoriality will be observed in applying this rule. This principal requires that major, official communications of the state must be made available in Spanish and at least two other languages that have the widest use in the respective territorial jurisdictions.

Translated from La Razon by Dawn Gable