He’s over 90 and blind, but Dr. Joaquín Balaguer, leader of the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano, and president of the nation for almost three decades, is still dictating Dominican political affairs. In the 1996 presidential elections his party ended a distant third, but the opposition candidate he personally endorsed and asked his followers to support, won. Today, both the leading opposition party, the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD) and the government party, the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD), would like his favor. But Dr. Balaguer, in his traditional style, will not disclose what is on his mind until the last minute. Not being able to keep up with the political games of Dr. Balaguer, Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez, leader of the PRD, announced his party was suspending negotiations with the PRSC, until Dr. Balaguer states who he will endorse. Dr. Balaguer has admitted holding talks regarding an alliance with both the PRD and the PLD. Meanwhile, Jacinto Peynado, presidential candidate of the PRSC in the 1996 presidential elections (but who did not receive Dr. Balaguer’s endorsement), said that the negotiations carried out by certain leaders of the PRSC with other political parties are a "perfect disorder." He said the PRSC is a party off tack. He said that the situation of the party is confusing and that negotiations with PRD and PLD are being carried out behind the backs of Donald Reid Cabral, Carlos Morales Troncoso and Jacinto Peynado, upon whom Dr. Balaguer supposedly delegated the leadership of the party. President Joaquín Balaguer has criticized the organization of the primaries. It is expected he will announce the winners of the primaries, regardless of results.
