NewsWhore
05-04-2012, 04:40 PM
El Caribe newspaper observes that government has been practically abandoned, as government officials and politicians are devoting all their time and energy to the final stage of the electoral campaign and most decisions are being left "to the next government." News reports indicate that the legislative and executive branches of government are carrying out basic tasks, but no decisions are being made.
The newspaper reports that consumers are benefitting, or at least will be doing so until after the election as since 17 March the government has not increased the price of fuel to reflect international fluctuations, contrary to previous practice.
The urgent list for government includes decisions on the primary care centers for social security affiliates, and the so-called integral fiscal reform mentioned in the recently approved National Development Strategy.
The Fernandez administration, as it closes its second consecutive term, has delegated to the next government decisions that could have high political costs, reports El Caribe. In January the government concluded the stand by arrangement with the IMF not passing the sixth and seventh reviews that would open doors to a disbursement of funds from the IMF. The IMF has set spending levels for the government. It is said that the government would resort to an 18% increase in power tariffs, but has preferred to break with the IMF to avoid applying the unpopular measure during the electoral period. An April Gallup poll indicated that the cost of living is only second to safety in issues identified as leading problems for Dominicans. Increasing power tariffs would further increase the cost of living.
"The presidential routine has moved from the Presidential Palace to the streets," reports El Caribe. The government seat is just used for meetings with PLD directors who come from all around the country for meetings. The priority is to inaugurate public works. "It would seem that all constructions pending for formal inaugurations have been left for the final days and final sprint of the electoral period," says the newspaper. The report concludes by saying that Fernandez has become the "third front" in the Danilo Medina and Margarita Cedeno campaign.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4)
The newspaper reports that consumers are benefitting, or at least will be doing so until after the election as since 17 March the government has not increased the price of fuel to reflect international fluctuations, contrary to previous practice.
The urgent list for government includes decisions on the primary care centers for social security affiliates, and the so-called integral fiscal reform mentioned in the recently approved National Development Strategy.
The Fernandez administration, as it closes its second consecutive term, has delegated to the next government decisions that could have high political costs, reports El Caribe. In January the government concluded the stand by arrangement with the IMF not passing the sixth and seventh reviews that would open doors to a disbursement of funds from the IMF. The IMF has set spending levels for the government. It is said that the government would resort to an 18% increase in power tariffs, but has preferred to break with the IMF to avoid applying the unpopular measure during the electoral period. An April Gallup poll indicated that the cost of living is only second to safety in issues identified as leading problems for Dominicans. Increasing power tariffs would further increase the cost of living.
"The presidential routine has moved from the Presidential Palace to the streets," reports El Caribe. The government seat is just used for meetings with PLD directors who come from all around the country for meetings. The priority is to inaugurate public works. "It would seem that all constructions pending for formal inaugurations have been left for the final days and final sprint of the electoral period," says the newspaper. The report concludes by saying that Fernandez has become the "third front" in the Danilo Medina and Margarita Cedeno campaign.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4)