Santo Domingo.– The mayor of Santo Domingo Oeste, Francisco Peña, requested a two-year leave of absence from the Council of Councilors to travel through different countries, a request that has generated surprise, criticism, and an intense debate in the city council.
The request was submitted during the session held this Thursday and sparked mixed reactions among the council members, who discussed the legality and advisability of authorizing the municipal executive’s absence for the remainder of his term in office.
Peña, 75, was elected for the 2024-2028 term and, if the leave of absence is approved, he would remain away from his duties during the final two years of his term. Although the mayor expressed his desire to embark on a world tour, some council members attributed the decision to possible fatigue, health problems, or a lack of interest in continuing to lead the municipal administration.
You can also read: Francisco Peña requests arrests against individuals
During the session, several council members described the request as inappropriate, considering that the citizenry elected him to complete the four-year term. Others insisted that any decision must comply with legal provisions and the council’s internal regulations.
In the midst of the debate, one of the council members quipped that the Santo Domingo Oeste City Council should be called the “Francisco Peña Corner Store,” a comment that raised the tension in the session hall.
More Read
So far, the Council of Aldermen has not reported whether it will approve or reject the mayor’s request.
Francisco Peña is currently serving his fourth term as Mayor of Santo Domingo Oeste, having held the position during the 2002-2006, 2006-2010, 2016-2020, and the current 2024-2028 periods.
