DR Elections: Luis Abinader re-elected in landslide amidst economic growth and Haitian crackdown agenda  

Incumbent Luis Abinader, a former businessman and leader of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM, per its Spanish acronym), was re-elected Sunday in a landslide for a second term as the president of the Dominican Republic. His anti-corruption and economic growth agenda resonated with many of the country’s eight million eligible voters. However, on the campaign trail, the ongoing crisis in neighboring Haiti emerged as a defining issue. 

The elections, which saw voters cast their ballots for the country’s next president and members of Congress, presented once again an opportunity for them to show undeterred support for Abinader’s harsh crackdown on Haitians and border policy with his crisis-stricken neighbor.

“The people have spoken clearly,” Abinader said in his victory speech. “Dominicans want to continue deepening the change. I will not fail you. Beyond any partisan interests, my loyalty and pride lie with the Dominican people,” he added, stressing that the Dominican Republic stands in unity above political differences.

President Abinader amassed approximately 60% of the votes amid persistent and growing anti-Haitian sentiments. Dominican citizens saw diverse candidates vying for positions, including the presidency and vice presidency, 62 seats in the Senate and 190 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. The campaign season leading up to the elections was filled with spirited debates and discussions on critical issues, including relations with Haiti and promises of change.

Abinader’s nearest competitor, former President Leonel Fernandez, received under 30% of the vote. Mayor Abel Martínez was the distant third candidate, with less than 11%. Both Fernandez and Martínez conceded early in the night in a process described by media reports as smooth, acknowledging Abinader’s clear lead.

More than usual, this year’s campaign focused on anti-Haitian sentiment.

Amid escalating violence and political upheaval in Haiti, the Dominican Republic’s election campaign was notably shaped by calls for heightened immigration restrictions and the completion of a border wall separating the two countries. President Abinader has initiated building a border wall, reminiscent of former U.S. President Trump’s proposal, along Haiti’s border. He has overseen the deportation of more than 250,000 Haitians in 2023 alone.

The sustained turmoil in Haiti has compelled many to abandon their homes, seeking sanctuary in different provinces and foreign countries such as the Dominican Republic and the United States. 

The Dominican government’s immigration policies have instigated concerns among both recent immigrants and Haitians who have resided in the Dominican Republic for an extended period. While some Dominican voters advocate for the continuation of stringent immigration measures, a considerable number of Haitians calling Haiti’s closest neighbor home live in constant fear.

In response to the spiraling crisis in Haiti, human rights activists have appealed to the Dominican government for a temporary stay on deportations.

President Abinader’s re-election has a considerable potential impact on the Dominican Republic’s future relationship with Haiti. In the ensuing years, this relationship is likely to continue evolving along the trajectory set by the Abinader administration since his initial election in 2020.

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