Government

Many legislators skipping session

Mayra Zúñiga, second vice president of the Asamblea Nacional, said she expects the legislature to engage in a full week of work following the Easter holiday.

That's because frequent absences by legislators have brought the workings of the Asamblea almost to a standstill.

So far this month, debates have been characterized by empty seats and the attendance of many substitute deputies. Many of the Asamblea's committee's have been unable to meet because they do not have a quorum.

The only committee that has met on an ongoing basis has been the one discussing changes to the Code of Criminal Procedure. Over the past two weeks, Asamblea President Pedro Miguel González has been absent several times, as has first vice president José Manuel Baruco.

Zúñiga attributes the phenomenon to the fact that 2008 is a pre-election year, and legislators have campaign commitments.