Dominican Repúblic: campaign cash questions

WHAT Taxes and the cost of many public services are rising, along with tempers, as the administration of President Danilo Medina seeks to replenish public funds

WHY Critics say that the main reason the government needs money is that funds were drained from the government in the first semester of this year to finance the 2016 election campaign of ex president Leonel Fernandez, Medina’s ally in the Dominican Liberation Party.

WHAT NEXT The private sector in general, and middle class taxpayers especially, are protesting the measures, including the threat of strikes. For his part, Medina may be gambling that he can weather the storm now – and that he can turn smiles into frowns when it counts, by lowering taxes and prices as the next election gets closer.

For more information, please contact Esteban Alvarez at [email protected]