Santo Domingo.– The Dominican government announced that starting July 1st, a proposal for legal modification will be submitted to the Congress National, which contemplates a 50% reduction in the resources allocated to the political parties, groups, and movements recognized in the country.
The initiative arises following a decision by the Council of Ministers headed by President Luis Abinader, and is part of an adjustment to public spending that seeks to redistribute items from the General State Budget. The Director General of Budget, José Rijo Presbot, explained that the measure will be formally presented as a bill for legislative evaluation, in accordance with the procedures established in the legal system. Currently, state funding to political organizations amounts to RD$1.62 billion annually, according to current budgetary legislation. With the proposal, it is proposed that resources be reduced in two stages during the second half of the year, affecting the monthly disbursements received by political entities. Rijo Presbot noted that the initiative responds to the need to make fiscal adjustments amid the current economic situation, and urged the parties to contribute to the effort to contain public spending.We recommend reading:Government invests RD 409.5 million to transform the eastern margin of the Ozama River in Las Lilas
However, the proposal has generated rejection in various political sectors. The political delegate of the Fuerza del Pueblo before the Central Electoral Board, Javier Hubiera, warned that the measure could weaken the party system and affect the democratic stability of the country, considering that the current resources are essential for the functioning of political organizations.
In the same vein, sectors like Alianza País, represented by Sergio Holguín, suggested that any reduction should be applied proportionally, taking into account the level of funding each organization receives. The criticisms from the opposition and minority parties suggest that the measure could generate tensions in the political dialogue and modify the balance of the party system, while the Government insists that it is a necessary adjustment within the public spending efficiency policy.
