Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez, leader of the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD), and candidate for mayor of Santo Domingo for his party, said that President Fernández is campaigning for a victory of the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana when he travels all around the country promoting the "National Dialogue." The National Dialogue was formed by the government as a public forum that would gather civic and social groups, entrusted with coming up with a consensus as to where the country should be headed in the next few years. The President has said that if the plans have the endorsement of the population, they would have continuity beyond his administration. He has been traveling throughout the country to listen to Dominicans from all walks of life. The reunions have been criticized as people use the forums to address their own personal needs and not national needs. The President’s travels have also resulted in his addressing the nation on different topics. Yesterday, in his meeting with civic and political groups of La Romana, President Leonel Fernández said that the Dominican people have the right to protest in a civilized manner, but that "nobody has the right to violate the laws and constitution of this country." He also said, "We are living in the midst of disorder; with no respect nor discipline but with the participation of the Dominican people we are going to establish that order, so that discipline and the work ethic can prevail." President Leonel Fernández is the most popular politician in the country, according to a Gallup Poll, but the Constitution does not allow him to run for President in the next presidential election scheduled for year 2000.
