Martinelli veto of culture proposal “regrettable”

A bill to establish a Ministry of Culture supported by all parties in the National Assembly has been vetoed by President Ricardo Martinelli.

The driver of the initiative Panamenista Deputy Jose Isabel Blandon, described the action as "regrettable”

The bill was approved on third reading on  April 24,.

 "It seems that the government prefers to support issues that generate controversy rather than issues that are the product of consensus," Blandon said, while pointing out the document received the unanimous support of Members, including Martinelli’s own  Democratic Change party.

It was  s unfortunate not only for the Assemby said Blandon, but for the National Institute of Culture (INAC) which presented ideas that were included in the final document. 

It was clear that the Panamanian ruler did not prefer culture topics in which there was no potential for business for relatives.

Martinelli – who traveled to Greece this week  and then on to Switzerland, used a four page letter to give his reasons for the veto to the president of the legislature, Hector Aparicio. He described  the  "General Culture bill  as "impractical and inconvenient and  he could not approve the document because it violated the constitutional power of the Executive in  proposing laws involving the effect on the structure of the national administration.