Local press is speculating that former President Joaqu?n Balaguer could return to the DR on Thursday, 25 February. He would arrive on a private jet into the smaller Herrera International Airport, in the city of Santo Domingo. He had been scheduled to return last week, but because of medical check-ups with ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, he postponed his return. His followers are promoting a major welcome event. Balaguer is considered the most sage Dominican politician of all times. Today, despite being blind, and technically out-of-power, he still has a controlling stake in local politics. As the leader of the minority party, the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (PRSC), he maintains a strong influence in the outcome of the presidential elections, and could again tip the scales in the favor of the candidate of his choice. In the 1996 elections, Balaguer endorsed President Leonel Fern?ndez of the PLD, and not the party’s candidate, Jacinto Peynado. This time around, Peynado has said he would accept to run as vice president, if Balaguer chose to run again. After being a puppet President during the regime of Dictator Rafael Trujillo, Balaguer was elected in the 1966, 1970, 1974, 1986, 1990 and 1994 (for a shortened two year term) elections. It is estimated that at least 200,000 voters will cast their vote for whomever he chooses. In the DR, recently presidential elections have been won by less than 50,000 votes.
