Hipólito Mejía, presidential candidate of the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano, told his contender Danilo Medina, of the ruling Partido de la Liberación Dominicana, to not despair. In response to the later’s multiple requests for a public debate, Mejía said he would publicly debate Medina when the latter is better positioned. He said that he will also wait for the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano to announce its presidential candidate. He also highlighted the fact that "The Economist", the British news magazine, has forecast that Medina will finish third in the presidential race. None of the candidates are expected to win the presidency in the first round of the election. Thus finishing second is crucial to staying in the run for the presidency. The presidential campaign season officially opens in January 2000.
