Dominican president consolidates his power after overwhelming victory

Dominican President Luis Abinader consolidated his power after his reelection on Sunday by a wide margin, which relegitimizes his economic policies and especially against migration from Haiti.

On Monday morning, with almost 52% of the votes counted, Abinader He concentrated 57.15% of the votes, 28 points above the closest of his eight rivals, the former president. Leonel Fernandez (29.34%), who conceded the election at the beginning of the count.

“The Dominican Republic has written a page of democratic progress today and the results speak for themselves“said the 56-year-old ruler to his followers gathered at night at the campaign command.

“The people have spoken clearly… I assume the trust that I have received and the obligation not to disappoint. I will not fail you!“he added Abinaderwho will begin his second four-year term on August 16.

His power was also reinforced in Congress, where his Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) and allies gained broad advantages. In the Senate, according to partial results, they dominate in 24 of the 32 provinces, including the border ones.

“It is a great endorsement of power that the Dominican people have undoubtedly given to President Luis Abinader.“Nelson Espinal, Public Disputes specialist at Harvard University, told AFP. “It strengthens, it strengthens, it is a great power”.

“Very vigilant”

The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, but there is a strong contrast between the two countries. Its impoverished neighbor is today plunged into chaos and violence by the criminal gangs that control much of the territory.

“Immigration policy has influenced popularity“said Espinal. “The situation in Haiti is so disastrous with this failed State, which makes the Dominican people remain very vigilant and very careful about how to relate to Haiti.”.

“The Dominican Republic is going to have to invest a lot to control such uncontrolled immigration“said Daniel Pou, political scientist and specialist in public citizen security policies. “There are sectors right now that encourage the government to take extreme measures.”

Since coming to power in 2020, the president has imposed a firm-handed policy against Haitian migration: he has multiplied raids on undocumented immigrants and deportations, reinforced the presence of the armed force on the border, and built a 164 km wall between the two countries that he promised to extend in his second term.

The press highlighted Abinader’s victory on a full page this Monday. Dominga de la Cruz, a 27-year-old street newspaper vendor, shares the president’s policies.

“What he wants is to defend our country and help them, but for them to stay there, each in their own country.”, he expressed.

Abinader did not make reference to Haiti in his speech.

Constitutional reform

The surveys already predicted a “comfortable re-election” for this second period 2024-2028.

“Today the word of the Dominicans has been heard approving the effort that we have made until now in the government with honesty, transparency and efficiency”, celebrated the ruler, who came to power with an anti-corruption speech.

During the election, however, the opposition denounced “massive purchase” of votes and pre-marked ballots in favor of the ruling party, which denied it. Some 400 international observers accompanied the process.

In any case, Abinader enjoys 70% approval also for his management of the economy, with subsidies and more employment, and the covid-19 pandemic.

In his second term, Abinader is expected to present a fiscal reform with new taxes, postponed for years, and propose a constitutional reform, about which he has not offered details.

However, he clarified on Sunday that matters relating to re-election will not be touched on.

“I will not be a candidate again, it is my word, it is my commitment and it will be part of my legacy to the Dominican Republic”, he promised.