In politics anything is possible. Despite strong differences and confrontations, the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (the party of former President Joaquín Balaguer) and the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (the ruling party) allied with dissident forces within the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano to re-elect president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hector Peguero Méndez for a two-year term. This is Peguero Méndez’s third term as president of the Chamber of Deputies. Other members elected to direct the Chamber of Deputies are Rafael Francisco Vásquez Paulino, vice president, Fátima Pérez and Radhamés Castro. The fact that Vásquez is known as a close ally of Hatuey Decamps raised many questions that may be answered in the short term future. All deputies, with the exception of Cesar Santiago Rutinel Domínguez (Tonty), who was abroad, attended the session. Máximo Castro Silverio is the new spokesman for the PRSC. Joaquín Bidó Medina is the spokesman for the PLD. Pedro de León is the spokesman for the new Bloque Peñagomista made up of the 10 dissident PRD members. The first working session of the Chamber of Deputies was called for 25 August at 10 am.
