It’s true. Popular radio and TV show host and former anchorman Hugo Beras has resigned running for mayor for the National District for the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD). There is speculation he would back Carolina Mejía of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM). The municipal election will be held on 16 February 2020.
Beras had taken a leave of absence from his position as communications director for Ministry of Foreign Relations to run for mayor for the National District on the PRD ticket. His political mentor, Foreign Relations Minister Miguel Vargas is the president of the PRD. The PRM was formed when factions of the PRD split in two, leaving Vargas to continue to preside the PRD.
The president of the Central Electoral Board (JCE), Julio Cesar Castaños Guzmán says that the law establishes that in the case of ballots that are already printed, any votes would be allotted to the substitute candidate for the party. Castaños Guzmán said this is covered in Art. 146 of Electoral Regime Law 15-19. But Beras was running in the National District, where the vote is automated.
There now is also speculation that Hugo Beras could be replaced by former National District mayor Rafael (Fello) Suberví, who was mayor in 1986-1990 and 1994-98. Other alternatives are Peggy Cabral, who acted as deputy mayor when Johnny Ventura was mayor (1998-2002). Cabral is the widow of the late PRD leader, José Francisco Peña Gómez. Other possible candidates to mayor are Denisse Cabral, nominated deputy mayor on the PRD ticket. Also mentioned is Alejandro Barón, a city councilor with close ties to Miguel Vargas Maldonado, president of the PRD.
The PRD has been a close ally to President Danilo Medina throughout his two terms that end in August 2020. The Gallup poll says the party has 1.5% of the vote. Altagracia Salazar, in her Sin Maquillaje radio talk show on 4 February 2020, speculated the departure of Hugo Beras could affect the future share of the party in the taxpayer allotment for political parties.
On the other hand, Patricia Solano on La Cuestión radio talk show speculated the move could have had the backing of the Medina administration that seeks to consolidate itself with friendly factions within the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM). PRM party leader, former President Hipólito Mejía has backed President Danilo Medina’s positions on several occasions in the past. The former President is the father of Carolina Mejía.
There is speculation Hugo Beras would join National District Mayor David Collado in a new political platform. Meanwhile, El Nuevo Diario reports in its 4 February issue that Beras will be backing Carolina Mejia. Mejía has had the support of Collado since announcing she would run for mayor.
Hugo Beras announced a press conference would be held on Tuesday, 4 February 2020 where he would give details on his decision and put an end to all the speculation.
As reported in Diario Libre, Beras requested that the PRD act to remove his photo from the electronic ballot. Women Minister Janet Camilo, a high-ranking politician within the PRD, denied the party had not financially backed Hugo Beras.
Follow the story in Spanish:
Listin Diario
El Caribe
Hoy
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
La Cuestion Radio
Diario Libre
YouTube – Altagracia Salazar Sin Maquillaje
El Nuevo Diario
4 February 2020