Quito, June16 (Andes).-President Rafael Correa called for “a great national debate” to discuss bills that are currently in the National Assembly. The President announced a temporary withdrawal on inheritance taxes and capital gains, in order to avoid opposition groups provoking more violence, “considering that the Pope’s visit to the country is near.
“To prevent these groups provoke more violence, especially when we need to keep an atmosphere of peace, joy, and reflection for his visit. I have decided to temporarily withdraw the bills mentioned and open a great debate on these laws in particular but in general about the kind of country we want, “the president said in a message to the nation broadcast on radio and television.
The Pontiff’s visit to Quito and Guayaquil is scheduled between July 5 and 8. He will then continue a tour that includes Bolivia and Paraguay.
From the government palace, Correa called for various political and social sectors to join the debate on the two bills for the Redistribution of wealth (inheritance) and windfall (goodwill) seeking to democratize property, land and reduce inequalities.
Accompanied by ministers and secretaries of state, including: Alexis Mera, legal secretary of the Presidency; Viviana Bonilla, secretary of the Policy; José Serrano, Interior Minister Patricio Rivera, Finance Minister Doris Soliz, executive secretary of Alianza Pais, among others, the President explained that such projects affect only the high economic class and called for a national dialogue.
“Hopefully in this great national dialogue involving unions, social organizations, academia, youth (…) we debate, we want arguments, not manipulations, we want to hear and speak, no insults or slander, ” he said.
The president added that “laws will be withdrawn until the debate has been exhausted.”
The president also was emphatic in saying that “if someone proves that the law affects the poor and the middle class, I will definitely file the project (…) likewise, if someone can prove, as has been said before, that the laws were for revenue purposes, for an alleged waste of public funds. ”
Meanwhile, Alexis Mera said that “tonight the President sent two letters to the National Assembly, one for each law, requesting the withdrawal of the law.
The proposals were sent last week to the National Assembly, which had begun its passage week sparked protests from the opposition, especially right-wing groups and linked to economic power, businesses and citizens of middle and upper class, who took to the streets and recurred to violence.
Facing voices of those sectors that asked his departure, President Correa called “to be more alert than ever” with the destabilizing efforts of opposition.
In the Address to the Nation, President Correa also recalled the events that occurred on September 30, 2010, when members of the National Police tried to revolt. “and we will not let that happen again,” he said.
