In a meeting with media editors at the Presidential Palace yesterday, President Leonel Fernandez said he would not foster changes in the 2010 Constitution in order to seek re-election in 2012. The 2010 Constitution bans consecutive presidential re-election. He did not discard being the PLD candidate in 2012. He explained the Constitution does allow for Congress to call for a national referendum to let the people decide whether he should run for office in 2012.
As reported in El Caribe, President Fernandez told the press Article 210 of the Constitution establishes public consultations on a specific topic. Congress would have to approve the referendum.
When asked if the present Constitution allows him to seek re-election, Fernandez said: “There are many interpretations. But I confess that I have not been paying attention to that. I have said and I repeat I am dedicated to governing, I am not campaigning.”