The approval of the appointment of Reformista Party leader Leonardo Matos Berrido as ambassador to Italy did not move ahead when 12 senators voted against him, and 12 in his favor yesterday in the Senate. News reports indicate there was a heated discussion with some senators opposing him primarily for positions he maintained in the past when defending the PRSC in previous elections versus the PRD. Some PRD senators argued his case, saying he was important to the PRD winning the presidency. President of the Senate, Ramón Alburquerque, postponed the final approval or rejection of the nomination.
