The Central Committee of the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) confirmed the proposed naming as acting president by the Political Committee of former Minister of Industry & Commerce Temístocles Montás. He replaces former President Leonel Fernández, who had held the position for years.
Leonel Fernández resigned as president of the ruling party after he was defeated in the 6 October 2019 by Medina-backed Gonzalo Castillo. Fernández has denounced widespread fraud. He removed himself from the party and announced the creating of The People’s Force (La Fuerza del Pueblo) to compete in the May 2020 presidential election.
The Central Committee announced the replacements of seven members of the 34-member Political Committee that have resigned. These are Leonel Fernández, Cesar Pina Toribio, Bautista Rojas Gómez, Rafael Alburquerque, Franklin Almeyda and Radhamés Jiménez. The position left by the death of Juan de los Santos and that of Jose Joaquín Bidó Medina, who resigned for his failing health, were also filled. The new members are Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta, Sports Minister Danilo Díaz, former Environment Minister Francisco Domínguez Brito, former Education Minister Andrés Navarro, Alejandro Montás, former Education Minister Melanio Paredes, Robert de la Cruz and Alexis Lantigua.
29 October 2019