Followers of former President Leonel Fernández have organized a mega event at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center’s Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium. Organizers say the event is part of efforts to collect 2 million signatures backing the candidacy of Fernández. Reports indicate big name artists have been hired for the event.
Backers of Fernández, former Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, former Attorney General Radhamés Jiménez, and former Public Health Minister Bautista Rojas Gómez, former Minister of Higher Education Ligia Amado Melo, La Romana senator Amarilis Santana and Santiago deputy Altagracia González told Listin Diario that former presidents Ernesto Samper of Colombia and Julio Maria Sanguinetti of Uruguay will be participating.
The Fernandez backers said they have the backing of the local minority parties Fuerza Nacional Progresista (FNP) and the Bloque Institucional Social Democracia (BIS).
The event is in preparation for the 6 October 2019 primaries.
Polls rank President Danilo Medina as the highest rated PLD politician, with Leonel Fernández second, followed by Vice President Margarita Cedeño, Fernández’s wife. The 2015 Constitution bans President Danilo Medina from seeking a third consecutive presidency. Fernández backers oppose an amendment of the 2015 Constitution to enable Medina to run again in 2020.
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El Dia
2 May 2019