In the Dominican Republic, presidential and legislative elections are held this Sunday, May 19. 8 million voters are called to choose among 9 candidates for the post of head of state. But according to the polls, continuity should be assured. The outgoing Luis Abinader, on the right of the political spectrum, is given the arch-favorite for an election in which Haiti is at the heart of the debate.
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Luis Abinader could even be elected in the first round against his main rival, Leonel Fernandez, on the left, president three times already, but who would like to be a fourth time.
Luis Abinader can count, among other things, on a favorable economic record. “ First, during the pandemic, things were officially contained 6000 deaths. On the other hand, on an economic level, the economy works quite well. He There has been growth of around 4 to 5% almost every year for around twenty years. So these things are pretty positive », explains Christian Girault, research director at the CNRS and the Center for Research and Documentation on the Americas (CREDA).
Opposite, the opposition is divided. “ If she had managed to present just one candidate, things would have looked different […] Leonel Fernandez himself has served 3 terms, he is already a little old and is not very popular. On the other hand, he there are other candidates indeed, but they are not extremely popular », continues Christian Girault, from the CNRS. In total, nine candidates are in the running for this presidential election.
“ Haitian migration, the Dominican Republic benefits greatly from it »
Luis Abinader’s anti-Haitian rhetoric is very popular with voters, particularly that against these Haitians who are fleeing a country plunged into anarchy. Haiti, it is the other country that occupies the island Hispaniola. The 160 kilometers of wall erected on the border between the two countries to prevent the entry of illegal migrants are the symbol of the firm policy pursued by the outgoing president during his first term.
Since coming to power, he has continued to order operations and raids against what he calls a ” avalanche of strangers “. More than 250,000 Haitians were expelled last year alone, despite the security situation in Haiti. Calls from the UN and humanitarian NGOs to suspend these forced returns have gone unanswered. There is no question of depriving yourself of rhetoric that works with your electorate.
However, the half-million Haitians residing in the Dominican Republic are essential to the country, according to researcher Christian Girault. “ Haitian migration, Dominican Republic greatly benefits from it because it supplies a large and, let’s say, relatively cheap labor force. So, ultimately, things are balanced in the sense that the Dominican Republic benefits enormously from the presence of Haitians as well, by sending goods, by trading with Haiti. »
A reality also obscured by the left-wing candidate and former president, Leonel Fernandez, who, two days before the election, said in a press interview that he was opposed to his country becoming “ a refugee camp » for Haitians. The legislative vote also takes place in the Dominican Republic, voters are called to elect their 190 deputies and 32 senators.
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