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(CNN Spanish) - The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele proposed on Monday night to reopen the economy from June 6, as long as the Legislative Assembly approves an emergency law no later than Thursday and a quarantine is implemented strict for fifteen days from this Friday.
Bukele said Sunday in a radio and television message that "no matter how many businessmen shout, it is not time to open."
24 hours later and after meeting with a group of prominent businessmen, he assured that his proposal is not a concession under pressure from some sectors, but the result of dialogue.
The president said that "the opening would be gradual, progressive and taking measures to protect workers."
While Bukele finished the press conference, the deputies began the plenary session in which, after several hours of negotiations, the Transitory Special Law for Comprehensive Health Care and Work Resumption was approved with 63 out of 84 possible votes .
The president announced that he would veto this law approved by the deputies, which proposes four phases for the empowerment of different sectors of the economy.
Will abide failure
The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court temporarily suspended the national emergency decree issued on Saturday by President Bukele and which was issued without Congress.
In said decree the state of emergency was extended for a month.
The state of emergency empowers the government to restrict freedom of movement and assembly of people, among other actions, in addition to allowing the discretionary use of
funds from executive institutions to deal with the pandemic.
Bukele assured that he will abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court Chamber despite considering the decision as "a nefarious precedent" and an "invasion of functions" because, in his opinion, he has the power to decree a state of emergency.
In the opinion of the Salvadoran president with those decisions they only seek to leave his government without funds and legal tools and he announced that "if we run out of money there will be no transfers to the Assembly and the Judicial Branch to use that money to buy food and medicine."
Bukele since assuming the presidency on June 1, 2019 has maintained a tense relationship with the Assembly and the Supreme Court of Justice.
coronavirus
