Joint Leadership Meeting

Pohnpei Delegation chair IsoNahnken of Nett Hon. Salvador Iriarte was joined by delegates Ricky Cantero, Dendy Liwy, Mason Albert, Berney Martin, and Secretariat Kapilly Capelle. They updated Pohnpei State leadership on the progress of the Constitutional Convention. Two proposed amendments have been approved and will now require the citizens of the FSM to decide in a national public referendum.

The two approved amendments are:

1. Threshold (3/4 to 2/3) – Amending the required number of votes to approve an amendment to the Constitution from 3/4 of the votes cast in 3/4 of the states to 2/3 of the votes cast in 3/4 of the states.

2. Dual Citizenship

Still pending:

1. Allottee of public funds shall be the executive branch (President, Governors)

2. FSM Laws that provide land ownership should be nullified

3. Limit annual aggregate salary and allowance for congress members, other purposes

4. Creation of an office of independent prosecutor

5. Direct election of President and Vice President

6. Not less than 40% of all revenues collected from fishing fees to be shared with the states

A question and answer session was provided after the general overview by delegation members.

Wasalapalap Isipahu Nahnmarki of Madolenihmw, Likend Kelekel, Vice Speaker of FSM Congress, Hon. Esmond Moses, Pohnpei State Senator Ricky Carl, who was MC of the event, Pohnpei State Senator Jayson, and Senator Jack Harris also joined the meeting. Vice Speaker of the Pohnpei State Legislature, Hon. McGarry Miguel delivered the closing remarks.

For more information on the 4th FSM ConCon, please visit their webpage at: https://constitution.gov.fm/