Economy Minister Isidoro Santana told reporters last week that President Danilo Medina should not seek to amend the Constitution so that he can run again for reelection. Santana spoke with reporters during an activity at the Embassy of China.
Santana said that he felt that any modification of the Constitution would not be correct and that President Medina, “after having carried out one of the best administrations in modern times, is not going to stain his name or his legacy, by seeking something of this nature.”
Santana criticized government officials that dedicate their time to politics rather than to their functions in the administration.
On Sunday, 9 June 2019, Energy & Mines Minister Antonio Isa Conde issued a statement expressing his backing for maintaining the US election model of two periods. This is the model incorporated in the 2015 Constitution.
The Santana and Isa Conde stands contradict at least five other ministers who have come out in favor of the constitutional amendment.
Ministers Jose Ramon Peralta, Francisco Javier Garcia, Jose Ramon Fadul, Ramon Ventura Camejo and Gonzalo Castillo have all issued statements of support for a modification of the Constitution which would allow Danilo Medina to run again for a third consecutive term as president.
Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta and Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo called for Santana and Isa Conde to wait until Medina defines his position.
The Political Committee of the ruling PLD has scheduled a 17 June 2019 meeting. Medina had said he would express his position in March of this year. Political analysts say backers of reelection have not yet secured the necessary votes from followers of President Leonel Fernandez and the PRM opposition party to pass the amendment. Former President Leonel Fernández and his wife, Vice President Margarita Cedeño both seek to be chosen the PLD candidate to the Presidency and have no constitutional impediments.
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El Caribe
Diario Libre
El Caribe
10 June 2019