The main topics on the minds of Dominicans for the 2020 general election campaigns are corruption, the Odebrecht corruption case, the management of Haitian immigration, rising drug trafficking, rising cost of fuel and the rising public debt, says a feature in Diario Libre in its 27 November 2018 edition.
The opposition parties and the Green March movement are focusing on corruption, calling for a cessation of impunity and that justice be served for those unlawfully using public funds.
The case of Odebrecht is being used by the Green Movement as well as the Revolutionary Modern Party (PRM) and the opposition to question the seriousness of the implementation of anti-corruption policies by the Medina administration.
Border security also is tops on the political agenda, giving rise to much passion and all parties are demanding better border security. A significant number of politicians are emulating US President Trump’s bid for a wall to separate Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Some members of the Chamber of Deputies have said they would submit a proposal to build a wall at the 300+ km border with Haiti.
Combatting drug dealing is also perceived to be a weakness in the government, taking into account that the Dominican Republic continues to be a major drug transfer point. Making matters worse for the Medina administration is that spokesmen for the government has confirmed that Cuban drug dealer Augusto Falcón (Willie) was granted legal residence in the country after he was deported at the end of his jail sentence in the United States. The revelation by the government only came after the Miami Herald published the story.
The price of fuel is another area under discussion. This heated topic has led to a rash of transport strikes and marches throughout the country.
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Diario Libre
28 November 2018
