The Executive Branch said that it would not press for the approval of the National Budget that has met with resistance on behalf of the PRSC congressmen. According to a news story in the Listin Diario, sources indicate that Fernández administration officers feel they did their job by submitting the budget early in October and holding talks and agreements with the congressmen, political parties and civic society representatives. The PRSC congressmen did not honor supposed agreements, refusing to pass the budget in Congress alleging that the government did not include a chapter for RD$500 million to pay contractors of works begun during the Balaguer administration. The Senate has said that if the government modifies the budget to include the RD$500 million, the Senate will not pass the bill. As things stand, it appears that the nation will again begin the New Year with the 1996 budget. This would award the Fernández administration discretionary powers of over RD$11,000 in budgetary surplus.
