Former president says he’s preparing for 2016

Santo Domingo.- Former president Leonel Fernandez on Sunday affirmed that Dominican Republic’s ruling PLD party is prepared to continue in office after 2016 and will create a factory of presidents and lawmakers after its next congress, to govern the country’s politics for the next 20 years.

"Starting now we’re preparing to continue directing the destinies of the Republic in 2016. Make no mistake, Boschism remains the dominant force in the Dominican Republic, and the Dominican Liberation Party is the organization which most gravitates in the our country’s mind spirit and future," he said, in reference to party founder, the late Juan Bosch.

Fernandez, in the keynote speech to mark the 50 years since Juan Bosch took office in February 1963, paid tribute to the writer and politician.

"We will strengthen our virtues, correct our mistakes and create a political a factory and school of presidents, senators and deputies," the former president said.

Fernandez added that the country’s modern history began during his first term in 1996, "because after that triumph in 2004, we won in 2006, again in 2008, we won in 2010, and again in 2012."