Members of the National Police and military impeded the installation of a permanent watch post by PLD members that back former President Leonel Fernandez outside the National Congress. The “Leonelista” PLD members oppose any intention of followers of President Danilo Medina to convene the National Assembly for an eventual amendment of the Constitution. As reported the military troops were commanded by Police General Máximo Báez Aybar.
Time is running out to start the process to reform the Constitution to enable Medina to run for President in 2020 and/or eliminate the clause that limits presidential terms to two four-year periods. The 2015 Constitution that was amended to allow Medina to run for reelection in 2016 bans him from running for President in the 2020 general election and set a two-term limit. The Constitution had been previously reformed in 2010 to enable then President Leonel Fernández to run for the Presidency again.
Political parties have until the 22 August 2019 deadline to deposit the pre-candidacies for participants in the 6 October 2019 primaries.
On the morning of Monday, 24 June 2019, the area had been militarized after the president of the Chamber of Deputies, strong Medina supporter Radhames Camacho had requested the troops. Motorized patrols and anti-riot vehicles from the police and the military. There was speculation the motion to reform the Constitution would be presented.
On Monday afternoon, ruling PLD party legislators that back former President Leonel Fernández clashed with the police and military. One Leonelista supporter, deputy Henry Meran suffered from tear gas and was later interned in the Intensive Care Unit at the nearby Clínica Independencia.
The Leonelista legislators and activists said they will continue the protest on Tuesday. Merengue singer and former PLD deputy Johnny Ventura and former Public Health and Environment Minister Bautista Rojas Gómez made the announcement.
Press reports say that the area continues to be militarized by troops from the Fuerza de Tarea Ciudad Tranquila (CIUTRAN) of the Ministry of Defense and the Police.
In an editorial today, Diario Libre explains that only the ruling PLD party has the minimum votes to convene the National Assembly. President Danilo Medina can also present the motion. Medina has delayed speaking to the nation on whether he will seek the amendment or not.
In its editorial, El Dia observes the political dispute within the ruling PLD party is about to get out of control. “The country has enough problems to add to it political instability,” writes the editorialist.
Leading polls establish the Dominican people oppose the amendment of the Constitution so that President Danilo Medina can run for a third term in office.
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Diario Libre
El Dia
Diario Libre
El Dia
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Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Diario Libre
25 June 2019