Updated

President Danilo Medina says he is open to running for re-election — now that the congress has approved a constitutional reform allowing the Dominican Republic's presidents to serve two consecutive terms.

Medina previously said he would not support any reform that would allow for his re-election.

But in a public address late Wednesday, about a week after the legal change, Medina said he has changed his mind in light of what he calls public support for the reform.

The measure was approved 181-39 last Friday, despite some protests. It also bars a two-term president from running for vice president in the future.