Dominican To Get A New Leader

Signaling the end of the 31-year reign of President Joaquin Balaguer, the governing party named Vice President Jacinto Peynado as its presidential candidate Saturday.

Peynado, 54, won the nomination on a platform of modernizing the nation, rebuilding the economy and reducing poverty.

“The kind of government I’m proposing will be modern, agile and a dynamic catalyzer of changes,” Peynado told 5,000 delegates attending the convention of the Social Christian Revolutionary Party.

Balaguer said he felt confident that he was leaving the Caribbean nation in good hands.

“I’m aware that in your hands … the sacred interests of this nation will be protected,” the 89-year old Balaguer told a teary-eyed Peynado.

The following fields overflowed: DATELINE = SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC