The Fuerza del Pueblo party selected Jose David Baez Reinoso as spokesman for its delegation in the Dominican Republic Chamber of Deputies on Monday.
The opposition party also ratified Eduardo Espiritusanto to continue as its leader in the Senate for the 2026 to 2027 legislative term.
The decisions were reached by consensus during a Monday meeting at the Casa del Pueblo Johnny Ventura in Santo Domingo, where party members also finalized the remaining steering committee positions for both legislative chambers.
In the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Dominican Republic Congress, Baez Reinoso will head the leadership bureau alongside Melido Mercedes Castillo, a deputy representing San Juan province, who assumes the role of vice spokesman. Rafaela Gonzalez Gonzalez, a deputy for Santo Domingo province, will serve as secretary for the party's lower house delegation.
Leadership Teams for the House and Senate
The party chose to retain its entire existing leadership structure in the Senate, the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature. Espiritusanto, a senator representing the eastern province of La Romana, remains as spokesperson. Felix Bautista, the senator for San Juan province, will continue as vice spokesman, while Omar Fernandez, who represents the National District, stays on as secretary.
Former Vice President of the Republic Rafael Alburquerque, a member of the party's Political Direction, administered the oath of office to Espiritusanto and Fernandez during the proceedings.
Following his designation, Baez Reinoso expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their vote of confidence and praised the work accomplished by the outgoing lower house leadership led by former spokesman Rafael Castillo.
Objectives for the 2028 Presidential Election
Baez Reinoso noted that his unanimous selection reflected the internal unity of the opposition bloc. He stated that the new leadership team will work in a coordinated manner to strengthen the party's legislative presence.
The new lower house spokesman said he intends to transform the Fuerza del Pueblo deputy bench into a fighting machine to build public support and help the organization win executive power in the 2028 general elections.
Espiritusanto also expressed appreciation to fellow senators for maintaining him at the head of the Senate delegation. He pledged to maintain firm opposition to the ruling government party.
The senator from La Romana expressed confidence that the legislative team will accomplish its duties and noted that all parliamentary efforts should aim to help Fuerza del Pueblo win the presidency at the Palacio Nacional in 2028.
Consensus Process and Party Transition
The internal selection process was organized by Franklin Rodriguez, Secretary of Legislative Affairs for Fuerza del Pueblo and a member of the party's Political Direction.
In a formal statement, Rodriguez highlighted the climate of unity and consensus that prevailed throughout the deliberations. He commended the outgoing Chamber of Deputies leadership, which included Rafael Castillo as spokesman, Carlos de Perez as vice spokesman, and Dulce Rojas as secretary.
Rodriguez also acknowledged the prior management of Henry Meran, who previously served as the party's Secretary of Legislative Affairs.
During the meeting, deputy Carlos de Perez read the official communication confirming the consensus reached by lower house lawmakers. Senator Omar Fernandez then read the Senate delegation's official letter addressed to party president Leonel Fernandez, announcing their unanimous decision to keep their current leadership team intact.
