The nation awaited the speech by President Balaguer on Tuesday, 27 February, Independence Day, with great expectations. It will be the last such annual address by Dr Balaguer who has been President of the Republic on six occasions.
The President has chosen to remain silent for over six months now, after fielding, what he perceived to be, hostile questioning during his press conferences. Despite the fact that he will ending his last period as President on 16 August 1996, he is expected to continue his strong influence in Dominican society given the preeminence of the PRSC in Congress. Political observers say it will be even greater if either candidate from the opposition wins the presidency, as he will maintain his influence as the principal leader of the PRSC.