PRD presidential candidate, Hipólito Mejía confirmed in Miami that he has met several times with former President Joaquin Balaguer. He confirmed news reports of a recent meeting, saying he was with the 93-year-old master of Dominican politics for one hour. He said that he did not discuss a political alliance with Balaguer, and denied that he was negotiating the vice presidential candidacy. Mejía is on a political tour in the US. Mejía denied that he visited Balaguer’s home clandestinely. He said he walked in through the front door. He said he has met with Balaguer five times. He said that apparently, the PLD politicians are bothered that they do not have "a patent" on visits to the legendary politician. Political analysts say that Balaguer’s support could make or break a candidate. President Leonel Fernández (PLD) is in power due to Balaguer’s endorsement prior to the second round of the 1996 election. Presidential election in the DR is slated for 16 May 2000. A candidate needs to achieve 50%+1 of the vote to win in a first round. Polls show none of the presidential candidates has the needed amount of votes to win in a first round, thus the presidential candidates of both the PLD and the PRD are courting the former statesman.
