The debate that was avoided by presidential candidates, including sitting presidents seeking reelection, for more than 30 years happened on 24 April 2024. President Luis Abinader took the center flanked to his right by two-term Santiago mayor and six-year president of the Chamber of Deputies Abel Martinez (PLD) and to his left by three-term President Leonel Fernández (Fuerza del Pueblo).
The two-hour debate ended with a 10 for Dominican democracy. The candidates presented their positions with respect, elegance and knowledge of key Dominican issues.
The three presidential candidates all did well. At the end, those watching the debate were able to have a snapshot of advances in the country and the areas where more needs to be done.
President Abinader used his newly acquired statesman skills to match the two veteran candidates who were in high positions in the previous PLD governments that ruled for 20 years and had ample time to resolve the same critical problems they addressed.
President Luis Abinader in his opening words reaffirmed he was a different President, with the debate being a refreshing example of his more modern style of doing politics. The debate was aired by the government TV station, RTVD Channel 4 so it could be viewed nationwide.
Abinader is criticized for advances in agriculture, but he said the Banco Agricola has given RD$80 billion in loans compared to RD$10 billion in previous governments. He capitalized on the questions presenting statistics whereby he took a humorful jab at the opposition saying that there was more production in all farm items, less chayote (tayota). During the 2020 presidential campaign, Abinader was referred to as a tayota candidate because he was “tasteless.”
The opposition candidates disregarded the need to give priority to calling the National Assembly to focus on changes to the Constitution, to instate a firm two-term limit to the Presidency and to remove the disposition that the President name the Attorney General. Former President Leonel Fernandez said the President in France and the United States name the prosecutors who have shown to be independent. On several occasions, Fernandez shared his wisdom as a former statesman when looking back at what had been achieved and looking forward to the next four years.
Fernandez also reaffirmed the stand he maintained at the end of his third-term in 2012 that there was a need to gradually increase the education budget. After a windfall of resources was allotted with the complying of 4% of GDP for education as of 2016, the educational authorities have little to show in advances in quality in education.
There was criticism regarding the stats on security. President Luis Abinader pointed to major strides in improving the Police and the defense mechanisms. The candidates concurred that never before has the situation in Haiti been so serious as now, requiring new actions. Candidate Abel Martinez spoke of the need to combat the mafias that operate on the border with Haiti enabling the trafficking of people and goods.
None of the candidates called for the elimination of the much-criticized “anticipo,” the advancing of taxes when profits have not yet been made. The candidates expressed their awareness the state needs more resources, but better government spending is key. Abel Martinez pointed to the RD$10 billion wasteful spending in government propaganda.
President Luis Abinader spoke of creating more formal jobs. Candidate Abel Martinez questioned that a large number of these were unnecessarily being created in government.
President Abinader says crime is motivated by the large numbers of youths who do not work nor study and says his government has increased technical learning centers with many more ITLA and Infotep vocational centers nationwide in addition to expansion of state university facilities in several inner cities.
The candidates rose to the occasion and the opposition presented the areas where more work is needed.
President Abinader is ranking 20 points above former President Leonel Fernandez. The debate served to consolidate Abinader’s strong position into the 19 May 2024 presidential election, as he leads a country that is seen as an example in the Americas, despite the high costing impact of the multi-dimensional crisis in neighbor Haiti.
Read more in Spanish:
The debate
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
25 April 2024