In a landslide victory, President Luis Abinader has been re-elected for another four years in office in the Dominican Republic. During his campaign, he emphasized his economic achievements and strong stance on migration from Haiti. According to the preliminary count from the National Electoral Commission, Abinader leads with over 59 percent of the votes, while former president Leonel Fernandez trails behind with almost 27 percent.
In his victory speech, Abinader thanked the people for their trust and pledged to continue representing all Dominicans. Fernandez gracefully conceded defeat and wished Abinader success in his new term. The Dominican Revolutionary Party is also expected to gain a majority in parliament and the senate.
However, there have been allegations of voter manipulation by Abinader’s party, with former president Danilo Medina accusing them of purchasing votes on a large scale. Despite these claims, no official complaints of election fraud have been received by the electoral commission.
The Dominican Republic will continue to face challenges under Abinader’s leadership, including navigating its relationship with neighboring country Haiti, which is facing severe poverty and gang violence. His re-election sets the stage for him to address critical issues in the region and continue his governance for years to come.