The Association of Industries of Herrera is calling for the resignations of the ministers of economy and tourism who are actively campaigning for the ruling PLD party presidential nomination. The business leaders say that these executives have begun their campaigns too early.
The organization says that at a time of so many economic challenges and budgetary restrictions, these government officials are neglecting their responsibilities to concentrate on campaigning two and a half years before the 2016 presidential election.
El Caribe reports that the president of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel), Gedeon Santos and the director of the Santo Domingo Water Corporation (CAASD), Alejandro Montas, known to be very close associates of President Medina, feel that the campaigns detract from the Medina government. Santos told El Caribe that the premature campaigning gives the impression that they want the President to leave the Presidency soon. “What is correct, what is sensible is that all the PLD should let President Medina work, because this is Danilo’s time,” said the director of Indotel.
As reported in El Caribe, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia responded to the request by saying that he only works on his campaign activities after hours. He said he dedicates his time to the Ministry until 4pm every day. Early polls already show pre-candidate Javier as having the highest popularity among the possible pre-candidates, over former President Leonel Fernandez, Vice President Margarita Cedeno, and Minister of Economy, Planning and Development Temistocles Montas. Garcia says that he does not use Ministry resources for his political activities. He argued that Medina himself, when he was secretary of the Presidency, sought the presidential candidacy and only resigned after he was elected as the candidate. Garcia has served as campaign manager for the PLD on three occasions, winning all the campaigns. He said that it is not true that the PLD will win with any candidate because of the split in the leading opposition party, the PRD.
www.elcaribe.com.do/2013/11/18/garcia-ldquosoy-celoso-con-tiempo-que-dedico-turismordquo