Dominican Republic

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President Leonel Fernández Vice President Rafael Albuquerque de Castro Congress of the Republic Senate Chamber of Deputies Political parties Elections President: 2004 Provinces Foreign relations

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Politics of the Dominican Republic takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of the Dominican Republic is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the National Congress. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. This page contains a list of presidents of the Dominican Republic. ... ... In the Dominican Republic legislative power is vested in the National Congress (Congreso Nacional), a bicameral legislature comprising a Senate (32 senators), and a Chamber of Deputies (150 deputies). ... The Senate (Senado) is the upper house of the Dominican Republics bicameral National Congress. ... The Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) is the lower house of the Dominican Republics bicameral National Congress. ... Political parties in the Dominican Republic# lists political parties in this country. ... Politics of the Dominican Republic Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in the Dominican Republic ... The Dominican Republic held a presidential election on Sunday, 16 May 2004. ... The Dominican Republic is divided into 31 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) (capitals in parentheses, if different from province name). ... The Dominican Republic has a close relationship with the United States and with the other states of the Inter-American system. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... Republics with presidential systems are shown in blue A presidential system, or a congressional system, is a system of government of a republic where the executive branch is elected separately from the legislative. ... Representative democracy is a form of democracy founded on the exercise of popular sovereignty by the peoples representatives. ... In a broad definition a republic is a state or country that is led by people who do not base their political power on any principle beyond the control of the people of that state or country. ... This page contains a list of presidents of the Dominican Republic. ... Queen Elizabeth II, is the Head of State of 16 countries including: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand and the Bahamas, as well as crown colonies and overseas territories of the United Kingdom. ... The head of government is the leader of the government or cabinet. ... Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law. ... A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. ... In the Dominican Republic legislative power is vested in the National Congress (Congreso Nacional), a bicameral legislature comprising a Senate (32 senators), and a Chamber of Deputies (150 deputies). ... In law, the judiciary or judicature is the system of courts which administer justice and provide a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. ...

Executive branch

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. 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 are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms, elections are held in years evenly divisible by four. ... August 16 is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 16 is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Legislative branch

Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la República. The upper house is the Senate (Senado) with 32 members, elected for a four year term in single-seat constutuencies. The lower house is the Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) has 178 members, elected for a four year term by proportional representation in each of the provinces.Congressional and municipal elections are held in even numbered years not divisible by four. A legislature is a type of representative deliberative assembly with the power to adopt laws. ... The bicameral legislature of the United States is housed in a capitol building with two wings. ... In the Dominican Republic legislative power is vested in the National Congress (Congreso Nacional), a bicameral legislature comprising a Senate (32 senators), and a Chamber of Deputies (150 deputies). ... An upper house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house. ... The Senate (Senado) is the upper house of the Dominican Republics bicameral National Congress. ... A lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house. ... The Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) is the lower house of the Dominican Republics bicameral National Congress. ... Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is an electoral system delivering a close match between the percentage of votes that the political parties obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive in legislative assemblies. ...

Political parties and elections

The following election results include names of political parties. See for additional information about parties the List of political parties in the Dominican Republic. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in the Dominican Republic.

Main article: Dominican Republic presidential election, 2004

An election is a decision making process whereby people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues. ... Political parties in the Dominican Republic# lists political parties in this country. ... An election is a decision making process whereby people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... Politics of the Dominican Republic Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in the Dominican Republic ... The Dominican Republic held a presidential election on Sunday, 16 May 2004. ... ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The Dominican Revolutionary Party (Spanish: Partido Revolucionario Dominicano, or PRD) is one of the main political parties of the Dominican Republic. ... The Social Christian Reformist Party (Partido Reformista Social Cristiano, PRSC) is a party formed by Joaquín Balaguer and his political heirs in the Dominican Republic. ... In the Dominican Republic legislative power is vested in the National Congress (Congreso Nacional), a bicameral legislature comprising a Senate (32 senators), and a Chamber of Deputies (150 deputies). ... The Progressive Bloc (Spanish: Bloque Progresista) is an electoral alliance in the Dominican Republic. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Institutional Social Democratic Bloc (Spanish: Bloque Institucional Social Démocrata, or BIS) is a political parties of the Dominican Republic. ... The Alliance for Democracy (Spanish: Alianza por la Democracia, or APD) is a political parties of the Dominican Republic. ... The Christian Democratic Union (Spanish: Unión Democráta Cristiana, or UDC) is a political parties of the Dominican Republic. ... The Dominican Workers Party (Spanish: Partido de los Trabajadores Dominicanos, or PTD) is a political parties of the Dominican Republic. ... The Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic (Spanish: Partido Liberal de la República Dominicana or PLRD) is a political party of the Dominican Republic. ... The Grand National Alliance (Spanish: Gran Alianza Nacional) is an electoral alliance in the Dominican Republic. ... The Dominican Revolutionary Party (Spanish: Partido Revolucionario Dominicano, or PRD) is one of the main political parties of the Dominican Republic. ... The Social Christian Reformist Party (Partido Reformista Social Cristiano, PRSC) is a party formed by Joaquín Balaguer and his political heirs in the Dominican Republic. ... The National Unity Party (Spanish: Partido de Unidad Nacional) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic. ... The Quisqueyano Christian Democratic Party (Spanish: Partido Quisqueyano Demócrata Cristiano) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic. ... The Green Party of Democratic Unity (Spanish: Partido Verde de la Unidad Democrática) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic. ... The National Civic Veterans Party (Spanish: Partido Nacional de Veteranos y Civiles) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic. ... The Dominican Social Alliance (Spanish: Alianza Social Dominicana) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic. ... The Popular Democratic Party (Spanish: Partido Demócrata Popular ) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic. ... The Christian Peoples Party (Spanish: Partido Popular Cristiano) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic. ... The Revolutionary Social Democratic Party (Spanish: Partido Revolucionario Social Demócrata) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic, despite winning 1. ... The Movement for Independence, Unity and Change (Spanish: Movimiento Independencia, Unidad y Cambio) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic, without parliamentary representation after the 16 May 2006 election. ... The Independent Revolutionary Party (Spanish: Partido Revolucionario Independiente) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic, without parliamentary representation after the 16 May 2006 election. ... The National Renaissance Party (Partido Renacentista Nacional ) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic, without parliamentary representation after the 16 May 2006 election. ... The Dominican Humanist Party (Spanish: Partido Humanista Dominica) is a minor political party of the Dominican Republic, without parliamentary representation after the 16 May 2006 election. ...

Judicial branch

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.

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. Christian Democracy is a political ideology, born at the end of the 19th century, largely as a result of the papal encyclical Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo XIII, in which the Vatican recognizes workers misery and agrees that something should be done about it, in reaction to the rise of... Joaquín Antonio Balaguer Ricardo (September 1, 1906 – July 14, 2002) was the President of the Dominican Republic from 1960 to 1962,from 1966 to 1978, and again from 1986 to 1996. ... José Francisco Peña Gómez (born March 6, 1937 in Mao, Valverde, Dominican Republic, died May 10, 1998 in Cambita Garabitos, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic) was the leader of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) and former Mayor of Santo Domingo. ... Juan Bosch y Gaviño Juan Emilio Bosch y Gaviño (30 June 1909, La Vega – 1 November 2001, Santo Domingo) was the first democratically elected president of the Dominican Republic after the assassination of dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo in 1961. ...

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. August 2 is the 214th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (215th in leap years), with 151 days remaining. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ...

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). August 10 is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... ...

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. June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining. ...

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. May 16 is the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (137th in leap years). ... This article is about the year 2000. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Danilo Medina was the presidential candidate of the Dominican Liberation Party in 2000. ... August 16 is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

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.

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. Statistics Capital: Azua de Compostela Area: 2,532 km² Population (2000 est. ... Statistics Capital: Neyba Area: 1,282 km² Population (2000 est. ... Statistics Capital: Santa Cruz de Barahona Area: 1,739 km² Population (2000 est. ... Dajabón is a province of the Dominican Republic, on the border with Haiti. ... The Distrito Nacional is a subdivision of the Dominican Republic enclosing the capital Santo Domingo, which therefore is not in any one of the provinces. ... Duarte is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... El Seibo, alternatively spelt El Seybo, is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... Elías Piña is a province of the Dominican Republic on the border with Haiti. ... Espaillat is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... Hato Mayor Provincia de la República Dominicana. ... Independencia is a province of the Dominican Republic on the border with Haiti. ... La Altagracia is the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic. ... La Romana is a province of the Dominican Republic, and also the name of its capital. ... La Vega is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... María Trinidad Sánchez is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... Monseñor Nouel is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... Monte Cristi is a province in the north-west of the Dominican Republic. ... Monte Plata is a province of the Dominican Republic, and also the name of its capital city. ... Pedernales is the southernmost province of the Dominican Republic, including the offshore island of Isla Beata. ... Peravia is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... Puerto Plata is one the northern provinces of the Dominican Republic. ... Salcedo is a province of the Dominican Republic, and also the name of its capital city. ... Samaná is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... Sánchez Ramírez is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... San Cristóbal is the capital of the Dominican Republic province of San Cristóbal, founded in the late 16th century. ... San José de Ocoa is a province of the Dominican Republic, and also the name of its capital city. ... San Juan is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... San Pedro de Macorís is a province of the Dominican Republic, also the name of its capital city. ... Santiago is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... Santiago Rodríguez is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... Santo Domingo is a province of the Dominican Republic. ... Valverde is a province of the Dominican Republic. ...

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 The Caribbean Community and Common Market or CARICOM was established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas which came into effect on August 1, 1973. ... Interpol logo INTERPOL (or International Criminal Police Organization) was created in 1923 to assist international criminal police co-operation. ...

External links

• Island Thresholds, Peabody Essex Museum’s interactive feature, showcases the work of contemporary Caribbean artists and their exploration of identity, culture, and social justice.