The government party, Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD) is hard at work to secure congressional veto power in the congressional elections of 16 May 1998. The PLD seeks to break the control of Congress by opposition parties Partido Reformista Social Cristiano and the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano by winning at least 11 of the 30 senate seats or 50 of the 149 deputy seats that are up for grabs in the elections. The PLD feels it has a chance at winning congressional positions in Santiago, Espaillat, Salcedo, La Vega, Dajabón, Duarte, La Romana, San Juan de la Maguana San Cristóbal, Peravia, Monseñor Nouel, Barahona, La Altagracia, Valverde, Elías Piña and El Seibo. PLD strategist, José Tomás Pérez, says that the present composition of forces within Congress impedes economic and social development.
