The group headed by President Danilo Medina within the ruling PLD obtained the majority of votes for membership positions on the party’s influential Political Committee. The Political Committee is responsible for most important decisions within the party.
The eight chosen by vote were Minister of Hacienda Simon Lizardo, deputy Miriam Cabral, Santo Domingo East mayor Juan de los Santos, executive vice president of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) Ruben Jimenez Bichara, former attorney general Radhames Jimenez, deputy Yomaira (Lucia) Medina, President Medina’s personal assistant Carlos Pared Perez and Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo. Of this group, only Radhames Jimenez is said to be a strong supporter of former President Fernandez. Vice President Margarita Cedeno and president of the Chamber of Deputies Abel Martinez were promoted to the Political Committee for the total of 10 new members.
Previously, Cedeno and Martinez had been members ex-officio as the Vice President of the Republic and the president of the Chamber of Deputies respectively.
Lizardo obtained 386 votes (64.23%), Cabral, 382 (63.56%), Jimenez achieved 363 votes (60.40%), De los Santos, 355 (59.07%), Jimenez Bichara had 353 (58.74%), Medina, 329 (54.74%), Pared Perez, 310 (51.58%), and Castillo 296 (49.25%).
The new members were sworn in by party president Leonel Fernandez at a ceremony at the Hotel Magna 365 (former Melia) in Santo Domingo yesterday, Wednesday 5 February.