Expert deal maker and political analyst, Nelson Espinal in an op-ed commentary in Diario Libre urges the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and People’s Force (FP) parties to take responsibility for the outcome of the 2024 municipal election and move forward. The FP was founded as a result of the differences between PLD leaders Danilo Medina and Leonel Fernandez.
In his commentary, Espinal presents two options for the PLD of Danilo Medina. He suggests that the PLD presidential candidate Abel Martinez (PLD) announce deputy Omar Fernandez (FP) as candidate to vice president. Polls show Abel Martinez is unlikely to win the Presidency.
Espinal also suggests as a second strategy that the PLD set distance with the People’s Force party of former three-term President Leonel Fernandez and not endorse Omar Fernandez for senator. Omar Fernandez is Leonel Fernandez’s son. The Rescue RD Alliance of the PLD, FP and PRD had announced it would back Omar Fernandez for senator of the National District.
Nelson Espinal concludes: “The political opposition in the Dominican Republic – PLD, PRD and FP – have, in essence, two options: feel victimized and start blaming everyone for their disaster, thereby continuing to disempower themselves, or choose to take responsibility for their present and their future. destination.”
Previous polls have shown Fernandez leads in voter support over Abel Martinez. But the municipal election is surely to act as a blow to people’s perception and Espinal urges honing the campaigns.
The sweep of the ruling PRM party in the municipal elections indeed may have delivered a blow to the chances of Omar Fernandez winning the senate seat running on an alliance of the PLD, FP and the PRD. The Rescue RD alliance did poorly in the election, with the PRM and allies instead taking 121 of 158 city governments, up from 113 in the 2020 election.
The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) has announced Leonel Fernandez’s political arch-foe, Guillermo Moreno as its candidate for senator. Moreno has presented legal cases against Fernandez for corruption in office. Moreno served as National District prosecutor until he was removed by Fernandez.
The PLD chaired by Danilo Medina fared better in the municipal election than the FP of former President Leonel Fernandez, who unlike Medina is again running for President in 2024.
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Diario Libre
21 February 2024