The ruling party faction of former President Leonel Fernandez believes that in the current circumstances, it is inappropriate to impose a constitutional reform to allow a third term to President Danilo Medina. They argue that 70% of the Dominican population has expressed opposition to this over the past two years, as reported in Listin Diario.
Former Fernández government attorney general Radhamés Jiménez read a five-paragraph document at a press hearing called in response to the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) Political Committee having urged Fernández to take the debate regarding constitutional reform to be heard in Congress. The president of the Senate, Reinaldo Pared Pérez accused Fernández of maintaining “a belligerent attitude.”
Jiménez read that there has been a widespread rejection of the bid to amend the Constitution from civil society, churches and different political forces in the Congress. “So there is no legal way to get the required two-thirds in the National Revisory Assembly for such reform,” said Jiménez.
He reminded the Political Committee members that back President Medina’s aspirations to a third term that all committee members had signed a 15-point pact before the Constitution was amended in 2015 to enable Medina to run for his second term. “We reiterate we will continue to accompany the Dominican people in defense of the Constitution and democracy, peacefully and legally,” read Jimenez.
Secretary general of the PLD, Reinaldo Pared Perez had demanded on Monday, 8 July 2019 that Fernandez respect the party organizations and not hinder the powers of the state. Pared Pérez said that internal differences should be managed through internal debate and respect for the decision of the majority.
Read more in Spanish:
N Digital
Listin Diario
Diario Libre
10 July 2019