Dominican Republic charter approved

The Dominican Republic’s new constitution is now set to go before a revision committee before being submitted to President Leonel Fernandez for his signature.



Legislators approved the constitution last week.



The new charter lifts the lifetime limit on presidential terms, but still bars a president from serving more than eight consecutive years.



President Fernandez, who is in his second consecutive term and third overall, will not be allowed to run in 2016, but can do so four years later.



Meanwhile, controversial provisions include a total ban on abortion and the guarantee of private property rights over valuable, once public beaches.