The trip once again required rescheduling legislative sessions. A minor detail, apparently, compared to the need to fulfill international commitments that, curiously, seem to be repeated frequently.
Not all blocs were represented. Some legislators had already been expressing their dissatisfaction with the use of funds and time for these visits. However, the logic of "global dialogue" continues to gain ground in the Unicameral's airline tickets.
Parliamentary tourism in Europe: the debut was in December
The first of these international tours took place last December, when 14 legislators set out for Spain. The visit included meetings in Madrid and Barcelona, as part of a "legislative extension" agenda. Although some showed receipts for personal expenses, several colleagues found out through the media and did not hide their surprise.
The ruling party clarified that the costs were covered by each attendee and that the agenda included public and private institutions as well as international organizations. Nevertheless, doubts about the transparency and relevance of these activities persisted. The pace of travel and the selectivity of the guests once again raised alarms.
The proposal included visits to companies, organizations, and governments. A diplomatic menu difficult to audit in terms of results but, apparently, sufficient to justify a European stay financed, at least in part, with personal funds. A relative "tax relief," although frequently legislating with passport in hand.
