Former President Joaquín Balaguer called upon his party followers to support La Altagracia province senator Amable Aristy Castro in his quest to become secretary general of the Dominican Municipal League. The former statesman’s support was contained in a letter read by his personal assistant Rafael Bello Andino at the event in Higüey where senator Aristy Castro formally launched his candidacy to the post. Political party delegates will vote on 26 January for the secretary general of the organization that governs the municipal governments throughout the provinces and the National District (Santo Domingo). For the PRD, Julio Maríñez seeks to repeat as secretary general. The PRD has contended that Aristy Castro does not meet the minimum requirements for the post. They contest that he is not a university graduate, nor has five years of work experience in city government. Aristy Castro needs the support of the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana delegates to win the nomination. The PLD has not officially announced it supports Aristy Castro’s aspirations. Lidio Cadet, secretary general of the PLD, speaking for the party, said that the PLD would not support Aristy Castro if the PRD accepted to return to the talks sponsored by the Roman Catholic Church to resolve differences over the appointing of a renown Dominican lawyer but also renown PRD activist to preside the Junta Central Electoral, the government body that organizes presidential, congressional and municipal elections in the DR. Aristy Castro is a kingpin in the Eastern province of La Altagracia, where he has represented in Congress for several years. He has been in the press involved in irregular land dealings in the East. He is a former president of the National Senate and aspires to the Presidency of the Republic.
