President Hip?lito Mej?a criticized the Dominican Republic for being the only country in which the government cabinet members compete with the President. Several government members had been aggressively campaigning for the PRD presidential nomination, but many of these have been subdued since the President?s announcement of his own intention to seek the party?s nomination. Vice President Milagros Ortiz Bosch, however, has maintained her object to become the PRD candidate. Recently, she publicly complained that the PPH faction of government, which supports Mej?a?s re-election aspirations, was pressuring government employees to support the re-election campaign.
When interviewed about his VP?s remonstrations, President Mej?a said, ?This is a first for members of cabinet competing with the President?Now, despite this, be assured that the defeat will be the same.?
Vice President Milagros Ortiz Bosch is President Mej?a?s prime opponent in the race for the presidential nomination. The PRD party has yet to announce the date of its primary election.