PRD presidential pre-candidates Hatuey Decamps, Rafael Suberv? Bonilla, Milagros Ort?z Bosch, Ram?n Alburquerque, Enmanuel Esquea Guerrero, Jos? Rafael Abinader and Rafael Flores Estrella are suggesting either a plebiscite or an independent survey of party members to determine whether the current President, Hip?lito Mej?a, should step forward as a candidate for the 2004 elections. A final decision on the subject will be announced next week, said Vice President Milagros Ort?z Bosch, who hosted yesterday?s four-hour meeting between the pre-candidates. She later told reporters: ?We are looking for a democratic solution that will truly represent the participative vision of the PRD.? Both proposals will also be studied by President Hip?lito Mej?a. The PPH (Proyecto Presidencial Hip?lito, internal PRD movement campaigning for the President?s re-election) was not represented at the meeting, and the pre-candidates admitted they did not have time to examine the proposals put forward by the internal party mediation committee. The three-part survey, which was suggested by Tourism Minister Rafael Suberv? Bonilla, would be carried out by an independent, internationally-recognized poll companies. A plebiscite of all party members was former PRD president Enmanuel Esquea?s idea. No matter which scenario is employed, there is consensus among the group of pre-candidates that the party must resolve whether or not Mej?a may offer his candidacy before the PRD convention.
This coalition is the latest attempt to end the crisis that has divided the PRD on the question on the President?s right to stand for a second consecutive term. In 1994, the Constitution was modified to prohibit consecutive presidential re-election. In 2002, however, the Constitution was amended by congress to reinstate the admissibility of a presidential re-election.
The PRD has yet to set a date for the party?s convention.
In reaction to the President’s poor showing in yesterday?s Gallup-Omnimedia poll, the government head of press and information, Luis Gonz?lez Fabra, told Diario Libre that it would be unfair to measure Mej?a?s popularity right now. His advice was to wait until after the Pan American Games and the signing of the agreement with the IMF and see how the public feels then.