The ruling PLD began its congressional election campaign last weekend, 17 and 18 October 2015 without the presence of party president, former President Leonel Fernandez who is supposed to be in charge of promotion and support for the congressional and municipal candidates as stated in Article 12 of the pact he signed with President Medina.
Some sectors say that he was not present as he and his supporters are dissatisfied with the process so far.
Meanwhile, the party’s presidential candidate, President Danilo Medina led two mass events to proclaim the candidates for senator for Monsenor Nouel (Bonao) province, Felix Nova, and Azua, Rafael Calderon. They were sworn in by party general secretary Reinaldo Pared Parez, who said that these events marked the beginning of the PLD electoral campaign. PRD president Miguel Vargas, now a PLD ally, also attended both ceremonies.
El Dia reported, nevertheless, that Fernandez would preside over the 19 October 2015 meeting of the influential PLD Political Committee, also attended by President Danilo Medina. During that meeting it was decided that mayors that lead their contenders for the municipal candidacy by 10 points or more will be chosen by the party, outside of primaries. The party decided to go with polls versus internal party votes to choose several of the candidates in order to better position itself to win the elections. The party says that in those places where the mayor is not a member of the PLD, primaries will be held.