Dominican President Luis Abinader Secures Second Term with Landslide Win

Luis Abinader has secured another term as President of the Dominican Republic, scoring a landslide win.

Abinader garnered 59% of the votes, securing another four-year term. His closest contender, former President Leonel Fernandez, received 27.29% of the votes.

Political analysts attributed Abinader’s victory to his firm stance on sealing the border with Haiti, which at the moment is undergoing a crisis of violent crime.

His platform included an anti-corruption agenda and a robust crackdown on Haitian immigrants. During his previous tenure, Abinader initiated the construction of a 164km (102mi ) concrete barrier along the Haitian border to prevent the influx of undocumented migrants, resulting in the deportation of over 250,000 individuals in 2023.

A 56-year-old former economist and businessman, Abinader outlined plans to revitalize the Dominican economy by implementing reforms aimed at fostering growth and phasing out subsidies on electricity supply.

DR’s economic growth has been propelled largely by public investments and a thriving tourism sector, marked by a record-breaking influx of 10 million visitors in 2023. The World Bank projects a 5.1% growth rate for the country in 2024.

The Caribbean island, however, remains deeply concerned about the ramifications of climate change. Environmental experts repeatedly warn about the potential for natural disasters in the near future. Approximately 40% of DR’s population is deemed vulnerable to the effects of climate change.