Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Large Lead for Dominican President Fernández

May 15, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Leonel Fernández could earn a new term as the Dominican Republic’s president, according to a poll by Zogby International published in El Panorama Diario. 54 per cent of respondents would support the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) candidate in tomorrow’s election.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Leonel Fernández could earn a new term as the Dominican Republic’s president, according to a poll by Zogby International published in El Panorama Diario. 54 per cent of respondents would support the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) candidate in tomorrow’s election.

Miguel Vargas Maldonado of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) is second with 34 per cent, followed by Amable Aristy Castro of the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) with five per cent. Support is lower for Eduardo Estrella of the Fourth Way (LCV), Pedro Candelier of the Popular Alliance Party (PAP), and Guillermo Moreno of the Movement for Independence, Unity and Change (MIUCA).

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.

Yesterday, Aristy urged voters to send a message to the president, adding, "Leonel has been punishing the people for four years, with high cost of living, unemployment, lack of public safety, blackouts and low quality in education, health care, drinking water and transportation. He has punished Dominicans four times with the same number of fiscal reforms and tax schemes"

The presidential election is scheduled for May 16. A candidate requires more than 50 per cent of the vote to be elected in the first round.

Polling Data

Who would you vote for in the 2008 presidential election?

Leonel Fernández (PLD)

54%

Miguel Vargas Maldonado (PRD)

34%

Amable Aristy Castro (PRSC)

5%

Eduardo Estrella (LCV)

1%

Pedro Candelier (PAP)

1%

Guillermo Moreno (MIUCA)

1%

Other

5%

Source: Zogby International / El Panorama Diario
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,210 Dominican adults, conducted from May 5 to May 11, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.