HIBAPRESS
The Internal Affairs, Local Authorities, Housing, Urban Policy and Administrative Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives approved, on Friday evening, draft organic law No. 031.26 amending and supplementing the organic law on regions No. 111.14, after extensive discussion that included 66 proposed amendments.
The project received the approval of 12 deputies, while 3 deputies from different parliamentary groups abstained from voting. The most prominent amendments focused on expanding the jurisdictions of the regions to include new areas, including cultural development and the valorization of tourism potentials, in addition to strengthening the contribution of the regions in financing national programs and organizing the work of regional companies to implement projects. During the discussion, a number of parliamentary groups called for expanding the powers of the regions more broadly, especially with regard to cultural, social and environmental aspects, but the Minister of Interior confirmed that the current approach adopts the principle of gradualism, with priority given to the competencies that can be implemented, with the powers to be expanded gradually after strengthening the capacities of the regions. The committee also approved other amendments that included the inclusion of the care of cultural heritage and the tourism sector within the joint competencies between the state and the regions, in addition to establishing the "Regional Company for Project Implementation" to replace the Regional Agency, with its headquarters in the capital of the region and the possibility of opening branches, amid a parliamentary debate about governance, financing mechanisms, and the balance of powers between the state and the regions.
