The political committee of the Bloco de Esquerda will be able to propose the party’s first candidates on the lists for parliamentary and regional elections, and if there is more than one proposal, they will be voted on alternately by the National Council.
This was one of the proposals to amend the party’s statutes approved at the National Convention XIII BE, which is taking place in Lisbon this weekend.
With this change, the Political Commission (a body originating from the National Bureau) together with the district and regional assemblies will be able to propose to the highest body of the conventions the first candidates on the lists for the Assembly of the Republic and the Regional Assembly. Legislative Assemblies of Madeira and the Azores.
The statutes also provide that “if there is more than one proposal for the same constituency, they shall be voted alternately in the National Council”.
During the presentation of the amendment proposal, Deputy José Soeiro (whose mandate is currently suspended) pointed out that it is for the National Council to decide on the first names of the lists of candidates for deputies, on the proposal of the district and regional structures.
“The process has always been done in consultation with the Political Affairs Committee,” he said, insisting that “there is a national logic that goes beyond mere territorial representation on the lists.”
If there are different opinions, said José Soeiro, “there must be a dialogue” to arrive at a common proposal, but if that is not possible, this proposal stipulates that “if there is no common proposal, the proposals voted alternatively” of the Political Committee and of the respective assembly”.
“It is decided by the vote of the highest body between conventions,” he said.
Parity in the lists goes to 40/60
Of the 28 proposed amendments to the Articles of Association, seven were approved, six of which were submitted by the National Board.
Also approved was the mention of the fight against discrimination based on “gender identity, gender expression and sexual characteristics” and another amendment that removes the article referring to sanctions and puts in supporters’ rights the suspension that suspends those who apply on competitive lists during the time when the relevant investigation takes place.
Gender equality in the lists for the district, regional and municipal coordination committees goes from one third to 40/60 and that “in the preparation of the lists, as in all activities of the bloc, the self-determination and gender identity of each member is respected”.
Another proposal by a group of deputies was also approved, depriving the nuclei of the possibility of ratifying new militant accessions.
Of the rejected proposals, one provided that party officials could only be dismissed “on the basis of the conclusions of a thorough investigation into non-compliance with their assigned functions”, another that drafted a code of ethics to which party-elected officials would comply . and also one that stipulated that the BE would not have the marks of coordinator or general secretary.
Other unsuccessful proposals focused on limiting time limits and creating new bodies, such as an accounting committee and a jurisdiction committee.
The work of the XIII Convention, which is interrupted for lunch, should resume around 2.15 pm.
Source: DN
