Former President Danilo Medina is assuming the leadership of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD). In a recent meeting of the party’s higher up echelons, he set forward several party strategies. Medina is confident the party can do a comeback. “We shake up, remove the dust and hit the streets to win the next one,” said Medina. He motivated his followers to be proud of the great transformations that were accomplished in his two terms in government.
He urged the party to be very active in Congress to establish itself as the leading opposition party. From having practically absolute majority in Congress, the PLD lost the majority in the 5 July 2020 election. The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) is now majority in both chambers.
An audio was leaked with the remarks by Medina to the PLD members. In it, the former President admits that the party lost because they were not able to motivate PLD voters to go to vote. Castillo had been handpicked by then President Medina. Former President Leonel Fernández split from the party, accusing Medina of rigging the primaries. Medina acknowledged the campaign became all about money. “Nobody wanted to do anything if there was not money in play. A party that falls to that is a party that did not deserve to continue in power,” he remarked. He said everyone was asking for “logistics” to campaign for Gonzalo.
The Gonzalo Castillo campaign is said to have been the most costly in Dominican history. Luis Abinader won the election 52.5% to 37.4%.
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Listin Diario
17 September 2020