El Siglo newspaper political commentator, Orlando Gil points out that the PRSC has been taking full advantage of the fact that the PLD and the PRD both seek the favor of party leader, former President Joaquín Balaguer. Balaguer’s support is seen as crucial to winning the 2000 presidential election, and thus both parties are courting the 92-year old former statesman. Gil points out that the PRD directly offered Balaguer the presidency and board of the Chamber of Deputies, which the PRSC had lost three years ago to the PRD. But the PRSC also flirted with the PLD and obtained the presidency of city governments in 43 municipalities. Gil says that with the exception of those in Santiago and Jánico, the dealings were negotiated by the city’s PRSC men, and not by the PRSC hierarchy. While the PRD and PLD debate the presidency, he explains that the PRSC is grabbing all that it is being offered.
