Politics of the Dominican Republic
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Template:Politics of the Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is a representative democracy whose national powers are divided among independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president appoints the cabinet, executes laws passed by the legislative branch, and is commander in chief of the armed forces. The president and vice president run for office on the same ticket and are elected by direct vote for four-year terms.
Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral National Congress– the upper house being the Senate (32 members) and the lower house being the Chamber of Deputies (150 members). Presidential elections are held in years evenly divisible by four. Congressional and municipal elections are held in even numbered years not divisible by four.
Under the constitutional reforms negotiated after the 1994 elections, the 16-member Supreme Court of Justice is appointed by a National Judicial Council, which is nominated by the three major political parties. The court has sole jurisdiction over actions against the president, designated members of his cabinet, and members of Congress.
The Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts and chooses members of lower courts. Each of the 29 provinces is headed by a presidentially appointed governor. Elected mayors and municipal councils administer the National District (Santo Domingo) and the 103 municipal districts.
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Recent political history
The Dominican Republic has a multi-party political system with national elections every four years. In two rounds of presidential elections in 1996, nearly 80% of eligible Dominican voters went to the polls. The leading parties in 1994 were the PRSC, linked to the International Christian Democratic political movement, whose candidate was President Joaquín Balaguer; the PRD, affiliated with the Socialist International, whose candidate was José Francisco Peña Gómez; and the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), whose candidate was former President Juan Bosch.
In the 1994 elections, international observers noted many irregularities in the voter lists, and the opposition PRD immediately charged the Central Electoral Board and the PRSC with fraud. A Verification Commission appointed by the Central Electoral Board, however, did not accept the PRD's charges. By all estimates, total disenfranchised voters far exceeded the 22,281-vote margin of victory in favor of President Balaguer on 2 August 1994.
Following an intense period of political activity, the competing political parties signed a Pact for Democracy on 10 August, reducing President Balaguer's term of office from 4 to 2 years, setting early elections, and reforming the constitution. A new Central Electoral Board was named to work on electoral reform. The main candidates in 1996 were Vice President Jacinto Peynado (PRSC), José Francisco Peña Gómez (PRD), and Leonel Fernández (PLD).
Domestic and international observers saw the 1996 election as transparent and fair. After the first round in which Jacinto Peynado (PRSC) was eliminated, the PRSC with Joaquín Balaguer endorsed Leonel Fernandez (PLD). Results in the second round, 45 days later on 30 June, were tabulated quickly, and although the victory margin was narrow (1.5%), it was never questioned. The transition from incumbent administration to incoming administration was smooth and ushered in a new, modern era in Dominican political life.
Fernández' political agenda was one of economic and judicial reform. He helped enhance Dominican participation in hemispheric affairs, such as the Organization of American States and the follow up to the Miami Summit. On 16 May 2000, Hipólito Mejía, the Revolutionary Democratic Party candidate, was elected president in another free and fair election. He defeated Dominican Liberation Party candidate Danilo Medina 49.8% to 24.84%. Former President Balaguer garnered 24.68% of the vote. Mejia entered office on 16 August with four priorities: education reform, economic development, increased agricultural production, and poverty alleviation. Mejia also champions the cause of Central American and Caribbean economic integration and migration, particularly as it relates to Haiti.
The military consists of about 24,000 active duty personnel, commanded by the president. Its principal mission is to defend the nation, but it serves more as an internal security force. The army, twice as large as the other services combined, consists of four infantry brigades and a combat support brigade; the air force operates three flying squadrons; and the navy maintains 30 aging vessels. The Dominican Republic's military is second in size to Cuba's in the Caribbean.
The armed forces participate fully in counter-narcotics efforts. They also are active in efforts to control contraband and illegal immigration from Haiti to the Dominican Republic and from the Dominican Republic to the United States.
Country information
Country name
The conventional long form of the country's name is "Dominican Republic". The local long form is "Republica Dominicana". The country's data code is "DO".
Government
The government of the Dominican Republic is a representative democracy. The country's capital is Santo Domingo.
Administrative divisions
The Dominican Republic has 31 provinces (provincias) and one district* (distrito): Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabón, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, El Seibo, Elías Piña, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, María Trinidad Sánchez, Monseñor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samaná, Sánchez Ramírez, San Cristóbal, San José de Ocoa, San Juan, San Pedro de Macorís, Santiago, Santiago Rodríguez, Santo Domingo, Valverde.
Independence
On 27 February 1844, the Dominican Republic declared independence from Haiti.
Constitution and legal system
The constitution of the Dominican Republic was ratified on 28 November 1966. The country's legal system is based on French civil codes.
Suffrage is extended to those at least 18 years of age, and to married persons regardless of age. It is both universal and compulsory.
Executive branch
Chief of State
The President is Leonel Antonio Fernández Reyna. He took office on 16 August 2004. The Vice President is Rafael Albuquerque de Castro (since 16 August 2004). The president is both the Chief of State and the head of government.
Cabinet
The cabinet is nominated by the President.
Elections
The President and Vice President are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 16 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2008)
Legislative branch
The bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado and the Chamber of Deputies or Cámara de Diputados. The Senado has 30 seats, and its members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. The Cámara de Diputados has 149 seats, and its members are also elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms.
Political parties and elections
Template:Elect Template:Main Template:Dominican Republic presidential election, 2004 Template:Dominican Republic legislative election, 2002 Legislative elections were last held 16 May 2002). After the 1998 election, the PRD held 24 seats in the Senado, and the PLD and PRSC held three seats each.In the 2002 elections the PRD got 29 of the 32 seats, the PRSC got 2 (LA Altagracia and San Pedro de Macoris) and PLD got 1 representing the National District. In the 1998 elections Cámara de Diputados, the PRD held 83, the PLD 49, and the PRSC 17. Next elections will be held on May 16, 2006.
Judicial branch
The system of law is based on the French civil code. The top level of the judicial branch is the Supreme Court, or Corte Suprema. It consists of eight judges chosen by the Senate, and the Procurator-General, appointed by the executive. The three tiers of courts - communal, first instance, and appeal courts - are supplemented by a system of land courts created by special legislation. The death penalty was abolished in 1966.
See also: List of Presidents of the Dominican Republic
Political pressure groups and leaders
- Collective of Popular Organizations or COP
International organization participation
ACP, Caricom (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Flag description
A centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at the center of the cross. See: Flag of the Dominican Republic.es:Política de la República Dominicana fr:Politique de la République dominicaine