This situation is hardly new. LF was faced with an opposition-controlled Congress in his first Administration which blocked much of what he wanted to accomplish. [In fact, a number of bills proposed during his first Administration saw no action whatsoever until Hippo came in, then suddenly Congress passed many of them more or less in the form LF proposed, but PRD took credit for them.] The difference now is that PRD has even more of a lock on Congress -- particularly the Senate -- than it did then.
Also in his first Administration LF hinted at and threatened to rule by decree. But in reality under the newer Constitution, what he can do by decree -- without having it struck down by the courts -- is much more limited than it was under Balaguer.
Even giving them favors, there is only so much the PRD will allow LF to get through Congress. They want to ensure that PLD does not get returned to office in 2008. So only the measures which cuts them in on a big piece of the pie, or absolutely necessary to keep the money flowing, will get through.
I know it's a cynical viewpoint, but I have been tracking Dominican politics too long (and have met too many Dominican Members of Congress) to believe otherwise. :ermm:
Regards,
Keith