Presidential and legislative elections in the Dominican Republic this Sunday

A woman wearing a protective mask as a precaution against the spread of the new coronavirus during the municipal elections held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on March 15, 2020 (illustration image). AP Photo / Tatiana Fernandez

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The Dominicans elect their president this Sunday. The presidential and legislative elections were originally scheduled to take place on May 17 and were postponed due to the pandemic. This time, the poll will be held “at all costs”, according to the electoral authorities, even if the number of Covid-19 cases continues to climb. Some 7.5 million Dominicans are called to elect the two chambers of Congress and choose the successor to the head of state, Danilo Medina. Overview of presidential candidates.

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At 53, the economist Luis Abinader of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) tries to create surprise. Recently tested positive for Covid-19, the unsuccessful presidential candidate wants to end sixteen years of the reign of another center-left party, the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) of current President Danilo Medina. The latter cannot stand for re-election; he completes his second 4-year term. Gonzalo Castillo, his former Minister of Public Works, is therefore in charge. The two parties accuse each other of seeking to manipulate the elections.

Because of the pandemic, the electoral campaign was held exclusively online: the main candidates marched well in the streets the last few days, but without the usual fervor. The concerns of the Dominicans seem elsewhere.

After confinement for more than 100 days, coupled with a night curfew, the country's borders and air routes reopened on Wednesday. Hope, a gradual revival of tourism, a vital sector for the Dominican Republic, the leading tourist destination in the Caribbean.

If no candidate obtains 51% of the vote, a second round will take place on July 26.

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