The ruling Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD) expelled six mayors that have not complied with the 2×2 political agreement made in 1998. The party says that several deputies are also on the verge of being expelled. The agreement was reached in 1998 to maintain party unity when a large number of aspirants sought municipal and congressional posts. Former leader of the PRD, the late José Francisco Peña Gómez came up with the idea of granting political posts to the largest number of PRD activists as possible, by splitting the term into two. The mayors and congressmen agreed that upon winning the 1998 municipal or congressional positions, they would remain in their posts for only two years, resigning to allow other political activists to occupy the posts in 2000. The dissenting mayors and deputies have been offered positions in government, now that the PRD rules the Executive Branch, but these have not accepted, preferring to stay on their posts. Despite the party’s outrage, the mayors and deputies cannot be legally forced out of their posts. Thus, Hatuey de Camps, spokesman for the party, announced they would be expelled. Mayors that were expelled are Juan Quiñones (Haina), Apolinar de la Rosa (Bonao), Manuel Bello (Baní), Victor Rafael Flores (Villa Altagracia), Angito Espinal Cortorreal (Nagua) and Santomás Pérez (Las Matas de Farfán). Among the deputies on the verge of being expelled are Orlando Pimentel (Hato Mayor), Leopoldo Cadena (Baní) and Enrique Rivera (Puerto Plata), Isidro Torres (National District-Santo Domingo) among others. Expelling deputies is a risky business for the party, as its former members normally resort to voting against the party’s decision. The PRD is majority in the Senate, and would have been majority in the Chamber of Deputies had it not been for previous conflicts that turned several of its members into opponents. Thus, today the PRD needs to negotiate with members of other parties to pass bills in the Chamber of Deputies. The 2 x 2 conflict has delayed work of Congress. Dominican congressmen are the best paid government officers.
