Parallel Congress in Honduras: tension between the ruling party and the opposition

In a scenario of increasing institutional division, Luis Redondo, the president of the Honduran National Congress, suggested potentially removing opposition lawmakers and creating an alternative legislative body if the ruling party’s proposals continue to face obstacles. The remarks, delivered during a session in the assembly, provoked a surge of critical responses from opposition parties as well as different political and legal sectors within the country.

Redondo claims legislative obstruction and warns of exceptional actions

Luis Redondo, leader of the legislature and part of the governing party Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE), voiced his displeasure regarding what he sees as consistent blocking by the opposition of initiatives backed by his party. “We cannot keep letting a minority disrupt the people’s mandate,” he stated, noting that “decisive actions” will be implemented to guarantee the operation of Congress.

During his speech, Redondo questioned the role of the blocs opposed to the ruling party and suggested that a possible solution would be to “purge” the legislature. Although he did not specify legal or procedural mechanisms, his warning included the creation of an alternate Congress if current conditions do not allow the executive branch’s parliamentary agenda to move forward.

Critics condemn effort to centralize authority

The National Party, the Liberal Party, the Salvadoran Party of Honduras (PSH), and other non-government factions responded without delay, labeling the comments as an effort to execute a “parliamentary coup” with the goal of concentrating authority to benefit the executive branch. Congressman Tomás Zambrano charged Redondo with behaving in an authoritarian manner: “This is an urgent move to secure complete control for LIBRE. We will not permit it,” he stated.

In the same vein, constitutional lawyer Juan Carlos Barrientos warned of the illegality of any attempt to create a parallel legislative body, noting that such a measure would violate the principles of the rule of law. In his view, the threat compromises the institutional balances enshrined in the Honduran Constitution and could lead to a major institutional crisis.

Legislative tensions and calls for international observation

Redondo’s alert adds to a succession of recent events that have intensified tensions in the National Congress’s political environment. These matters involve the enactment of rules without proper ratification of the related records and the employment of dubious legislative procedures, like sessions called under unusual circumstances. One of the most pressing concerns has been the attempt to promote the Tax Justice Law, which has faced opposition from numerous economic and political entities due to both its form and content.

Politics experts detect a move towards a confrontational approach from the governing party, aiming to marginalize the opposition as the general election approaches. They caution that this development might cause institutional instability beyond the constitutional legal framework.

In light of this scenario, numerous political and social stakeholders have called for the involvement or vigilant observation of international bodies like the Organization of American States (OAS), the United Nations (UN), and diplomatic missions. A coalition of legal experts expressed in a shared declaration that what is on the line is not merely the ratification of a law, but the genuine preservation of the division of powers and the democratic framework.

A Controversial Congress and the Challenge of Institutional Strength

The statements by the president of the legislature open a new chapter in the complex relationship between the ruling party and the opposition in Honduras. The threat to redefine the composition of Congress or establish a parallel body represents a turning point in the country’s political coexistence, with implications that transcend the strictly legislative sphere.

The ongoing conflict highlights the enduring issues of governance in a setting where the clashes between authorities, institutional weakness, and divided opinions influence the growth of democracy. Under these circumstances, the function of constitutional oversight tools and the involvement of citizens become crucial in maintaining the equilibrium between political representation and adherence to legal norms.