Saint Dominic.- The intentions of a group of leaders of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) to project Gonzalo Castillo as the presidential candidate of that organization formalizes something that has been said for weeks and adds one more element to the cake of possibilities in the opposition organization.
The element Gonzalo Castillo As a presidential candidate, he introduces a new ingredient that could, if he conquers old loyalties, threaten at least the aspirations of just over five candidates for the PLD presidency.
Gonzalo Castillo is not just any candidate. He is the same guy who achieved 37.4% of the votes in the 2020 electoral process and to which the PLD adhered almost desperately to retain power, which led them to apply a massive and intense campaign throughout the country that ended with the figure of the former Minister of Public Works being known throughout the country.
In the PLD, Charles Mariotti, Francisco Javier García, Francisco Domínguez Brito, Juan Ariel Jiménez, Abel Martínez and probably Margarita Cedeño aspire to the presidency, most of whom keep a low profile, avoiding untimely wear and tear.
But the arrival of Gonzalo changes the panorama and could be, perhaps, the coup d’état that the PLD needs (in case it is recognized as a candidate) to improve its electoral score.
Gonzalo and needs of the PLD
The PLD does not need a candidate to win at this moment, it needs a champion to retain its troops, improve its electoral positioning and lay the foundations for a probable future beyond 2028, which would fit perfectly with Gonzalo.
Another element to consider is Gonzalo’s participation, which would tend to divide the vote of discontent, affecting who at this moment has the best opposition sympathies: the Fuerza del Pueblo.
Just a week ago, this party held a massive demonstration that was interpreted as a political act by the Central Electoral Board and that activated old fears in some of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), among them the deputy Ramón Bueno, who proposed enabling Danilo Medina to become president again, something that was ruled out by the party authorities.
Conflict with justice
Of course, Gonzalo Castillo, who was Minister of Public Works in the government of Danilo Medina, has an open court case for alleged corruption, which could hinder him in one direction or another facing 2028.
Gonzalo’s campaign is led by deputy Gustavo Sánchez, who in the last process supported Abel Martínez. He has said that it is the most feasible way for the PLD to return to power.
