politics

Executive office requests special powers

Justin Lane/EFE

Martin Torrijos: For the second time during his term, the president has asked for special powers.959501

The Órgano Ejecutivo yesterday requested "facultades extraordinarias," or extraordinary powers, from the Asamblea Nacional. The government wants to approve four special projects in a manner not provided for in the usual order of business.

President Martín Torrijos and his cabinet are looking to discuss the creation of a national customs authority and national tourism authority between Jan. 1 and Feb. 29, 2008.

The Executive also wants to modify immigration law and the decree that created the Superintendencia de Bancos.

This is the second time that Torrijos has asked for special powers in order to legislate.

In 2005 the Executive approved 10 projects, among them a community development program known as the Programa de Desarrollo Comunitario (PRODEC) of the Autoridad del Consumidor y de la Autoridad de los Servicios Públicos.

Deputies of the Asamblea Nacional, for their part, would like the Executive to grant special sessions to approve the criminal procedural code.