Reelection requires internal and external agreement of the PLD

SD. The possibilities that the reelection of President Danilo Medina might become reality would be subject to an eventual and difficult negotiation with former President Leonel Fernandez, in order to seek his support in a reform of the Constitution of the Republic.

If they manage by chance to get a pact between both leaders of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), the promoters of reelection will have to take on the thorny job of convincing the opposition legislators, in order to achieve the majority of votes necessary to modify the Magna Carta. The Dominican Revolutionary (PRD) and the Modern Revolutionary (PRM) parties, have manifested their rejection of any attempt at reform, and between both organizations they have 75 members in Congress.

In the midst of the movement they will also have to await the decision by the President, who on 19 August 2014, during a meeting with reporters in the Presidential Palace, said that it is normal that this type of movement should come about.

"I believe that I have to obey the deadline, and when the moment comes, I'm going to issue my opinion, if they still want it regarding this issue," he said at that time. Last month he once again pointed out that at the proper moment he will announce his opinion, nonetheless, his closest collaborators, influential officials of his administration, continue promoting his reelection.

According to political scientist Daniel Pou, the first sifting that should happen for the reelection is a negotiation inside the PLD and its Political Committee.

It is his understanding that this party organ should decide and negotiate between the followers of Danilo and those who follow Leonel.

"The opposition has given signals of being against this, because they know that Danilo Medina would be a more difficult candidate to defeat then Fernandez. With Leonel it is almost certain that there would be a second round of voting; with Danilo it would be a victory in the first round (of voting)," he noted.

Pou argued that behind Medina there are important sectors, outside the party, that would not support Leonel.

"The PLD has to decide, and the President has to decide, I believe that the President is waiting for the party to decide, and what we will have to see is if they can reach agreements," he pointed out.

In the meantime, the Minister of Public Works, Gonzalo Castillo, one of the principal promoters of reelection, assured reporters yesterday that the PLD is a disciplined party, and "they will obey the decisions taken by the Political Committee and the Central Committee."

Pina and the Political Committee

The judicial Consultant of the Executive Power, Cesar Pina Toribio, said that he is worried because the Political Committee of the PLD has not met since 1 September 2014. "I don't understand why I serve as a member of the Political Committee, if it does not meet." He said that the PLD has a tradition of resolving its internal affairs.