With the help of the deputies of the Social Christian Reformist Party, legislators of the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) voted in favor of extending the National State of Emergency. Legislators of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) and the former PLD deputies that now are members of the People’s Force (FP) party voted against. They had argued the government has made political use of the curfew and procurement to benefit government party candidate Gonzalo Castillo. Castillo has campaigned, giving away billions in appliances, propane, food, masks, and more in an effort to win the presidency.
The National State of Emergency began on 20 March. Curfew applies from 7pm to 5am, and government procurement rules are relaxed.
The government has begun a four-phase opening plan. The country is now in phase 2, with private and public transport operating again and most businesses already in operation. The tourism industry – hotels, restaurants and aviation – are scheduled to resume on 1 July 2020. Despite the gradual opening of the economy and the return to practical normalcy during the daytime, the number of deaths continues stable, averaging around six people a day.
The extension was approved for 17 days. This is five days more than the previous period. The spokespersons for the PRM and for the People’s Force, deputies Alfredo Pacheco and Henry Meran, respectively, pointed out that Law 21-18 on states of emergency prohibits an extension being greater than the one previously approved. Meran, of the People’s Force, said the party will challenge the extension in court.
With the 17-day extension, the national emergency will end on 30 June, four days before the national presidential and congressional elections.
Read more in Spanish:
Acento
Listin Diario
El Caribe
Abogadom
13 June 2020