On 27 October, President Abinader promulgated a set of constitutional amendments promoted by his government. The approved amendments transfer the responsibility for appointing the Attorney General and Deputy Attorneys General from the president to the National Council of the Judiciary. This change intends to guarantee the independence of the Attorney General’s office. The amendments also introduce presidential term limits (capped at two terms) to the list of unamendable constitutional provisions, which seek to guarantee the alternation of power. They also prevent elected officials from benefiting from constitutional changes made during their term in office. Additionally, they reduce the number of seats in the lower chamber from 190 to 170 and determine that presidential, legislative and municipal elections will be held on the same day. Civil society organizations have criticized the government for not conducting public consultations to inform the constitutional amendments.

Sources: CNN, Dominican Today, Diario Libre (1), Presidencia Republica Dominicana, International IDEA, Diario Libre (2)

The Dominican government announced a plan to immediately start deporting up to ten thousand undocumented Haitians per week and to enhance border security measures. Officials claim this response is necessary due to the international community's lack of effective action to address Haiti's crisis, stating the situation is unmanageable and threatens Dominicans’ welfare. Officials have pledged to uphold human rights standards during deportations. At the same time, this plan has faced significant criticism from human rights organizations, who have called these deportations illegal and contrary to international law and expressed serious concerns for Haitians’ human rights. The plan was announced in response to the rapidly growing number of Haitian migrants and resulting societal unease. This unease culminated in demonstrations led by the far-right nationalist group, Antigua Orden Dominicana, on 27 September, urging the government to take swift action on the matter.

Sources: BBC, Presidencia de la Republica Dominicana, Listin Diario, Amnesty International, France 24

President Luis Abinader has presented a bill to amend the country’s constitution, which he argues will enhance transparency and strengthen democratic institutions. One of the key objectives of the proposal is to enshrine a two-term limit for the presidency. The reform also seeks to unify the calendar for presidential, legislative, and municipal elections (currently held on different dates), and to reduce the number of representatives in the Chamber of Deputies from 190 to 137. Furthermore, the reform seeks to strengthen the independence of the Public Prosecutor's office, narrowing its focus to criminal prosecution and transferring other legal responsibilities to a newly created Justice Ministry. According to the office of the presidency, the proposal was drafted after consultations with a diverse group of stakeholders. Given the strong majority of the ruling Partido Revolucionario Moderno (PRM) in Congress, the bill has a high likelihood of passing.

Sources: Presidencia Republica Dominicana, Diario Libre, CNN

Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, candidate for the Modern Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Moderno, PRM), won re-election for a four-year term in the 19 May general election. He secured 57.4 per cent of the vote, defeating former President Leonel Fernández, who received 28.9 per cent, and Abel Martínez with 10.4 per cent. The country also elected 32 senators, 190 members of the Chamber of Deputies and 20 deputies for the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN). The PRM gained a large majority in the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, obtaining 142 out of 190 seats in the lower chamber and 24 out of 32 seats in the Senate. The election also yielded 70 women, including the Vice-President, deputies, and senators. Women now hold 35.2 per cent of the lower chamber, an improvement from the 27.9 they held after the last election. As polls had predicted, Abinader's victory was confirmed in the first round. Turnout was at record low with 46 per cent of voters abstaining.  Abinader has emphasized that this will be his final term, rejecting any constitutional changes to extend his presidency. 

Sources: El Pais, Listin Diario, Junta Central Electoral, Tendencias Dominicanas