December 14, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The Dominican Republic’s president, Leonel Fernández, could secure a new term in office, according to a poll by Gallup published in Hoy. 46.7 per cent of respondents would vote for Fernández of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) in next year’s election, up 4.4 points since August.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The Dominican Republic’s president, Leonel Fernández, could secure a new term in office, according to a poll by Gallup published in Hoy. 46.7 per cent of respondents would vote for Fernández of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) in next year’s election, up 4.4 points since August.

Miguel Vargas Maldonado of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) is second with 15.6 per cent, followed by Amable Aristy Castro of the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) with 10.2 per cent. Support is lower for Eduardo Estrella of The Fourth Way (LCV) and Pedro Candelier of the Popular Alliance Party (PAP).

In the May 2004 presidential election, Fernández received 57.11 per cent of the vote, defeating incumbent Hipólito Mejía of the PRD and Estrella of the PRSC. Fernández had previously served as the Dominican Republic’s head of state from 1996 to 2000.

Last month, former president Mejía admitted that he is attempting to secure an alliance between Vargas and Aristy in order to present a stronger opposition front against Fernández, saying, "I am working for that. I believe that there must be an agreement."

The next presidential election is scheduled for May 16, 2008.

Polling Data

Who would you vote for in the next presidential election?

	Nov. 2007	Aug. 2007
Leonel Fernández (PLD)	46.7%	42.3%
Miguel Vargas Maldonado (PRD)	15.6%	35.3%
Amable Aristy Castro (PRSC)	10.2%	14.1%
Eduardo Estrella (LCV)	2.7%	1.5%
Pedro Candelier (PAP)	1.8%	1.1%

Source: Gallup / Hoy
Methodology: Interviews with 1,200 Dominican adults, conducted from Aug. 9 to Aug. 13, 2007. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.