President-elect Leonel Fernandez received the certificate from the Central Electoral Board (JCE) recognizing him as the Republic?s President-elect at a ceremony at the Hotel Jaragua Renaissance yesterday.
?We believe that plurality, diversity and tolerance are the principles of a democratic system, because we understand that democracy is not based solely on the holding of periodic elections in a country. We understand, above all, that democracy is the capacity of the citizens of a nation to live in a civilized manner,? he said upon receiving the certificate.
Fernandez also acknowledged that his electoral victory was due to economic and social crisis. ?And we are aware that we need to do everything in our reach to effectively confront this economic and social crisis that burdens our population,? he said. ?But, despite the economic and social matters being a priority in the next governmental administration, we cannot lose sight of the importance of keeping a democratic agenda for the Dominican Republic,? he added. According to Leonel, this means he will strive to create the conditions that foster true independence of the government branches, while reaffirming the values of the citizenry?s freedom before the powers of the state, guaranteeing full constitutional rights, and incorporating a new dimension of social, cultural and environmental responsibility to the Constitution.
Fernandez congratulated the JCE judges for the peaceful outcome of the 16 May election. He asked them to collectively reflect on the lessons to be learned from that fateful day, in order to reaffirm the achievements made and to correct the flaws that occurred.