SANTO DOMINGO: Voters in the Dominican Republic’s presidential election yesterday were expected to give the country’s incumbent leader, Danilo Medina, a fresh chance to make progress against grinding poverty and widespread crime.
Mr Medina’s centrist PLD party has been in power for 12 years in the Spanishspeaking country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with its troubled neighbour, Haiti.
The Dominican Republic’s economy is booming thanks to the millions of dollars foreigners spend visiting the Caribbean tourist haven’s luxury hotels and beaches.
The economy grew 7% last year, and inflation was at a measly 2.3%.
But 40% of the nation’s 10 million residents are estimated to live in poverty and the unemployment rate is about 14%, according to government figures.
Critics complain that crime has worsened under Mr Medina, and say that his party has been in power for too long.
Mr Medina also faces allegations he has unfairly used electoral funds, and broad international criticism over policies that discriminate against the Dominican Republic-born children of Haitian migrant workers.