Halt ‘arrogance’ demand could signal rift in Dominican Republic’s ruling party

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic ruling party (PLD) presidential candidacy hopeful José Tomás Pérez’s demand voiced Thursday to halt senior leader Félix Bautista’s "disrespect and arrogance” could signal a rift in the organization headed by the latter’s mentor and former president Leonel Fernández.

Pérez’s surprising reaction comes in the heels of Bautista’s announcement to start promoting Fernández new presidential bid.

"Until when will the Political Committee continue to tolerate of Félix Bautista’s disrespect and arrogance? Where is the PLD?," asks the also member of the Political Committee."

Domingo Jiménez, one of Fernandez’s closest supporters, said “it will be an intense weekend" in the push for his return to office, which Bautista affirms will start in May 2014.