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Election Date: May 16, 2006

At stake: Congress of the Republic

Background

The Dominican Republic shares the Hispaniola Island with Haiti, and seceded in 1844. After the 31-year dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo ended with his assassination in 1961, three parties—aside from brief periods of unrest—have dominated the country's political arena.

The Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) became a household name by electing three-time president Joaquín Balaguer in four different decades. The Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) won the 2000 presidential election, with candidate Hipólito Mejía.

In the 2004 presidential ballot, former president Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) returned to power, winning 57.11 per cent of all cast ballots. Fernández had won the 1996 vote in a run-off, becoming the country's youngest head of state at age 42.

During his first term as president, Fernández instituted a policy of higher wages for state employees in order to combat corruption. In 1997, a series of constitutional amendments were finalized with the appointment of new Supreme Court justices, in an effort to eradicate impunity.

Click here for 2004 Dominican Republic Presidential Election Tracker

In May 2004, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua agreed to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The Dominican Republic followed suit in August. The treaty seeks to reduce or eliminate taxes and tariffs on imports.

Fernández defined CAFTA as "a necessity" for the Caribbean nation, adding, "If we lose the United States as a trade ally, it would be a catastrophe. There will be no other destination for our products and services."

2006 Congress of the Republic Election

On Dec. 2, 2005, Dominican president Leonel Fernández said his government has "fully complied with the key objective of 2005, which was making this the year of recovery." A report from the Dominican Central Bank said the Caribbean nation's economy grew by 7.3 per cent in the first nine months of 2005.

On Feb. 14, the Central Electoral Body (JCE) said a proposal to allow for electronic voting in the legislative ballot would be scrapped, but said the technology could eventually be used in the 2008 presidential election.

The main political parties have assembled in two coalitions. The Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) is part of the Progressive Bloc, while the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) has formed the Great National Alliance.

On Apr. 19, Fernández called on voters "to participate massively on May 16, so we can finish the chapter we began writing in 2004. (...) We must win the elections for the happiness and well-being of the Dominican people."

On Apr. 22, the PRD and PRSC issued a communiqué, questioning Fernández's economic stewardship. The document read, "The departure of several foreign investors from the Dominican market is a clear sign of negative expectations on the country's performance."

An April poll by Gallup put support for the Progressive Bloc at 41.7 per cent, followed by the Great National Alliance with 41.4 per cent.

On May 7, PRSC president Federico Antún Batlle complained about Fernández's influence in the political process, saying, "I regret that the PLD has chosen a path where the president overwhelms the opposition. I would remind him that this is not a free-for-all, but a political campaign."

Voting took place on May 16. Fernández expressed hope for a majority in Congress, declaring, "The first thing we must do is bring our constitution in tune with modern times, and establish a more transparent and democratic state."

Final results released on May 26 gave the PLD's Progressive Bloc 96 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 22 in the Senate. The Great National Alliance finished second, with 82 lower house seats and 10 upper house seats.

Political Players

President: Leonel Fernández - PLD

The president is elected to a four-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Congreso de la República (Congress of the Republic) has two chambers. The Cámara de Diputados (Chamber of Deputies) has 178 members, elected to four-year terms by proportional representation. The Senado (Senate) has 32 members, elected to four-year terms in single-seat constituencies.

Results of Last Election:

President - May 16, 2004

Congress of the Republic - May 16, 2006

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