Minister of Economy, Planning and Development Temistocles Montas has confirmed that the government will not be authorizing the hiring of merengue bands for government Christmas parties. Bands are complaining that the decision by the Medina government is seriously detrimental to them because the government has been responsible for 50% of the Christmas party contracts they have traditionally received, as reported.
The Medina government has also prohibited the purchase of traditional Christmas baskets of wines and food, a common practice during the Fernandez administration.