Monsignor Agripino Núñez, probably the country’s main arbitrator in political, labor and social conflicts, and whose university is participating in several projects funded by the United States to support Dominican democracy, ruled out that Dr Balaguer has the intention of remaining in power beyond 16 August 1996, in violation of the Pacto de la Democracia signed in 1994.
The rector of the prestigious Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra emphasized that the fundamental history of all the previous JCEs included the struggle to secure the funding as budgeted and also necessary to organize the elections. The Monsignor said, “This is the only Junta that receives its funding directly from the Budget Office which pays over the allocated monies religiously on time every month for the needs that were programmed, and that is because of precise instructions from the President. In this country there will be an election and if President Joaquín Balaguer loses (the government party) they will hand over power.” Constitutionally, Dr Balaguer cannot enter a new term as president.