Hatuey de Camps, president of the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD), the leading opposition party, said that the windfall of revenues to be generated by the increase in the tax on fuel and the exchange rate commission will be used to finance the year 2004 presidential campaign of Leonel Fernández. Fernández cannot run for President in the next election, since re-election is banned by the Constitution, but he is considered a strong contender for the 2004 election. De Camps said that the government has penalized individuals and business so that it can enjoy a windfall of revenues that will give it a free hand during the electoral period that officially opens in January. Presidential elections in the DR are slated for 16 May 2000. The PLD presidential candidate, Danilo Medina, is considered the underdog. El Siglo newspaper estimated the measures will bring the government an additional RD$4,300 million for year 2000, as they have a domino effect on other tax collections. The moneys are expected to be used by the government to pay its debts with contractors, suppliers and complete important public works, in addition to making scheduled payments on the public debt, and maintaining macroeconomic stability.
