The opposition, the PLD and the FP, repeat that their challenge is to reconnect with society, the same society that turned its back on them at the polls. How has the FP, which is the main opposition to the government, by mandate of the polls, handled its role as opposition so far? Here is an example.
The government and the PRM decided to change the space of the National Assembly and moved it to the National Theater. Former Senator Franklin Rodríguez took a turn in the session that approved the resolution of the transfer and made a brilliant presentation rejecting the proposal.
It was learned that the FP strategy team and its legislators discussed the possibility of wearing black at the swearing-in ceremony of the new authorities on the 16th of this month, but that decision was not made due to lack of consensus.
It was a missed opportunity for the FP to take a step towards achieving the goal of reconnecting with society. The decision to move the Assembly to the Theatre was extremely unpopular throughout society, excluding those who receive handouts to say that everything the government does is right, even if it is wrong.
When the municipal elections of February 18 were held, opposition legislators had the idea of leaving the Assembly Hall on February 27, when President Luis Abinader was presenting his accountability speech. The idea did not find support among opposition legislators, especially in the FP, despite the fact that part of the leadership of the opposition party wanted to impose it.
Both cases serve to illustrate how the opposition is disconnected from society. In February, the opposition was defeated in a crushing way at the polls, so to stay away from the Assembly Hall would be against the will of the population, it would be a reproach to the voters for not preferring them.
On the other hand, wearing black to the Assembly session for the swearing-in of the new authorities would be in line with the feelings of the people because very few, if any, looked favourably on the change of venue.
The decision was interpreted as a whim, where glamour was prioritized over solemnity and the weight of tradition. But the opposition was unable, once again, to interpret the feelings of the people.
