The director general of the Dominican Institute of Social Security (IDSS), psychiatrist César Mella, has left up to President Danilo Medina his removal from the position. The impasse over the post came about after the president of the PRD, an ally with the ruling PLD into the 2016 presidential election, asked him to resign in order to name another PRD member to the position.
Administrative Minister of the Presidency Jose Ramon Peralta has since confirmed that the position is part of the deal the PLD reached with the PRD in order to secure the necessary votes for President Medina to seek re-election in 2016. The 2010 Constitution at the time banned him from running for re-election. But the PRD votes in Congress were enough so that the Constitution could be changed enabling him to run for office again.
President Danilo Medina appointed Mella to the IDSS in June 2016. Mella says he was delivered a government institution that was about to become extinct, but said that effective administration under his watch has revived the institution. Mella has said he wants to see in writing where it says that the IDSS was to be delivered to the PRD as part of a political agreement.
Mella was interviewed by the Listin Diario after opening up about PRD president Miguel Vargas’ request and statements by Peralta that the position was part of a political deal. Vargas is also Minister of Foreign Relations.
Mella told the Listin Diario: “I am a disciplined man and a man with a track record, and at this time I am dedicating my service to the President of the Republic. My work at the IDSS can be seen by all. I am not the owner of this position, but I have demonstrated that I do not tolerate a lack of respect for my service” he said.
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Listin Diario
23 November 2017
