Fernandez defends spending

[NewsWhore]

President Leonel Fernandez has defended the multi-million peso pre-presidential campaign spending by saying that most of the money is provided by the private sector and therefore has nothing to do with the government's austerity plan. He said that when he speaks of austerity he is referring to public spending matters, as opposed to political campaigns. He pointed out that the private sector has paid for his campaign for the PLD presidential candidacy and said that he collected RD$90 million during his first fundraising meeting. The issue of spending millions on campaigns while hospitals are in need of supplies, leading to the deaths of patients, was also brought up. The President responded that this was a government issue and it should be understood as such. He added that campaign spending has to do with the political parties.
The PLD pre-presidential campaigns will officially close at midnight tonight. The PLD primary will be held on Sunday between 9am and 5pm.

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