Representatives of the government and the leadership of the three principal political parties of the country, as well as the civil society, will meet next week to discuss the national agenda proposed by President Leonel Fernández Reyna. The Catholic Church will mediate the meeting. El Siglo reported that Monsignor Agripino Núñez Collado met at Casa de Campo with commissions of PRD, PLD and PRSC political parties to discuss the agenda. Monsignor took advantage of the seminar that is held there to coach the new and old legislators on issues pertaining to their role as congressmen. The new congress opens 16 August. In a speech to the nation this week, President Leonel Fernández emphasized the need to complete the economic and structural reforms on which there has been talk for two years but that the Congress has opposed. The President spoke of the need to establish a national agenda including initiatives such as promotion of exports, customs, establishment of zero taxes for machinery and equipment for small and medium sized companies to facilitate the creation of jobs. Also on the discussion is the Monetary and Financial Code, the general electricity bill, the general health bill, the social security bill and the priority to be assigned to government works under construction. The President recently met individually with former President Joaquín Balaguer of the PRSC and with a commission representing the leadership of the PRD.
