The PRD bloc of deputies walked out of Congress in protest yesterday and say they will not attend sessions until 16 August. This comes in response to their objections to Chamber of Deputies president, the PRSC?s Rafaela Alburquerque, who they accuse of passing legislation carelessly (?al vapor?) and promoting her own political interests. Therefore, unless they return, the two opposition parties, the PRSC and the PLD, will dominate today?s session and all proceedings until 16 August.
A spokesperson for the PRD, deputy Alfredo Pacheco, said that important projects were being rushed without the scrutiny that is necessary when such weighty matters as the selection of the ombudsman, approval of internal bonds and an increase of 6-8% in municipal budgets were on the table. The deputies are also objected to Alburquerque?s scheduling of sessions outside the regular fixed hours, which he said were Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Alburquerque responded by saying she had the right to hold sessions at any time.
According to El Caribe, President Hip?lito Mej?a is not happy with his deputies? action. A motion to grant RD$5.14 million to the agricultural sector is due for discussion, and Agriculture Minister Eligio J?quez is keen to see it approved.
The paper continues with speculations about internal PRD wheeling and dealing, and says that although Pacheco is a leading proponent of the PPH internal campaign to promote the re-election of President Hip?lito Mej?a, he has visited re-election adversary Hatuey Decamps several times in the last few days.
Diario Libre?s back-page editorial column warns that there appears to be a division forming within the PPH ? something that needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
Following Wednesday?s DR1 news report that the senators gave themselves each a gift in the form of gold rings, it now emerges that the deputies have also splurged on designer neckties by Yves St Laurent, in celebration of Fathers? Day on Sunday.