The rival who President Hipólito Mejía fears most, former President Leonel Fernández, has been formally proclaimed presidential candidate by the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD). In internal elections held on 27 July, he beat his closest rival, former running-mate Jaime David Fernández Mirabal, by 87.2% to 12.3%.
In an uncharacteristic outburst, Mejía said days ago that Fernández represented a 'danger' to the ruling Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD) -and could win the presidential elections scheduled for May next year. Mejía, who aspires to be re-elected, has not yet been formally nominated by his party.
The only other contender in the field is Eduardo Estrella, of the conservative Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (PRSC). His narrow victory in internal elections held on 30 March were unsuccessfully contested by his rival, former Vice-President Jacinto Peynado, who claimed that Mejía had connived to get Estrella nominated in order to boost his own chances.
End of preview - This article contains approximately 163 words.
Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article
Not a Subscriber?
Choose from one of the following options
