Tensions are increasing noticeably in Santo Domingo as the elections for the leadership of the Dominican Municipal League (LMD) approach. The elections are scheduled for next Tuesday, January 26th, when the DR returns to work after the national holiday (the day designated by Congress to celebrate the birthday of Juan Pablo Duarte, the father of the nation). The LMD is the official body representing the interests of Dominican municipalities.The Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) has called for street protests about its possible loss of the LMD Secretary-General position, and has threatened to call a series of strikes as well. Protests started yesterday in some Santo Domingo, a few ending with tire burning in the streets. PRD has also filed a court petition seeking to postpone the LMD elections, and promised to hold its own "parallel" to the National Municipal Assembly (the body that elects the LMD head) and disrupt the original. Officials of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), which controls the national Executive Branch, have warned that the Government will deal harshly with any disruption in the streets or at the Assembly. PRD Presidents Enmanuel Esquea and Tony Raful have replied to such statements with warnings that PRD will respond "blow for blow" "any aggression" the Government might commit against its party faithful.The tension has become thick enough that part of yesterday’s special mass at the Bas?lica de Nuestra Se?ora de La Altagracia – which celebrated the day devoted to the DR’s patron saint – was devoted to prayers calling for a peaceful solution to the conflict. This was followed by a call from a PRD presidential pre-candidate, Hatuey Decamps, on all parties to seek an accord on the issue rather than confrontation.In a nutshell, the dispute arises from PRD’s contention that, since it won most of the mayor’s offices in the country during the last elections, it should continue to chair the League. However, the Reformista Party (PRSC), which presently runs no national-level body, wants the LMD position and has enlisted the aid of the PLD. The PRSC has put forth Senator Amable Aristy Castro, the former President of the Senate, as their candidate. Aristy Castro has frequently boasted that he already has enough votes sewn up to ensure his victory. PRD insists that if Aristy Castro wins, it will only be through "buying" votes and from PLD intimidation of PRD-controlled municipalities.
