Polls say none of the presidential aspirants have the 50%+ 1 of the vote needed to win in a third round. 40% of the vote is in the 18 to 35-year old age bracket and most of these define themselves as independents. Political analysts say the outcome of the 2020 general election is unknown at this time. Political parties of all sizes are maneuvering to play their best cards to capture the independent vote and hang on to traditional voters at the same time.
For instance, the long-time allies of the ruling PLD party, the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) and the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) are struggling to hang on to their anchors in the majority parties in order not to lose their status.
The PRD that backed President Danilo Medina for President in 2016 election obtained 270,450 votes for 5.86% in that election at the presidential level. The PRSC received 259,396 for 5.62%. The PRSC allied with the PRM for the winning candidacy of David Collado for Mayor of the National District.
PRD president Miguel Vargas in early July stated that his vote was for the reelection of President Danilo Medina or the party would run alone. When Medina announced on 22 July 2019 that would not run in 2020, Vargas was left with the decision to run for President himself. The PRD now is in a wait and see stand to see where next to move. Vargas is optimistic the party will need to be reckoned with. “What I assure you is that in 2020, or we will be government or we will decide who the next President of the Republic will be,” Vargas recently told his followers in an event on Wednesday, 31 July.
The ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) is divided mainly between followers of President Danilo Medina and those of former President Leonel Fernandez. Seven alternative party members are campaigning to get the backing of President Medina when the party primary takes place on 6 October 2019. None of these have reached more than 2% in the recent polls. The candidates also need the vote of the Central Committee that is controlled by the faction that backs President Danilo Medina. This year, any eligible voter can vote in that primary, regardless of whether the person is a registered PLD member.
Meanwhile, the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) is preparing for its primary on the same 6 October 2019. Only members registered with the PRM can vote in that primary. Their member vote count is a universe of 1.3 million possible voters. The pre-candidates are Luis Abinader, Winston Arnaud and former President Hipólito Mejía.
Other political parties have until 27 October 2019 to choose their presidential candidates by assembly polls or other authorized methods.
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Diario Libre
5 August 2019