Politics & Government Guide · Dominican RepublicPolitics & Government Guide in Dominican Republic
Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions
The Dominican Republic is a presidential republic with a bicameral legislature, currently governed by President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona of the Modern Revolutionary Party since 2020. The country underwent significant constitutional reforms in October 2024 that reduced the size of the Chamber of Deputies and consolidated electoral cycles. The nation maintains a multi-party democratic system with regular elections, though democratic institutions continue to face challenges related to judicial independence and press freedom.
Democracy Index
Moderate
Government Type
Presidential Republic
Legal System
Civil law system based on the Napoleonic Code
Head of State
President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona(since 2020)
Head of Government
President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona(Modern Revolutionary Party)since 2020
Political Indicators
Press Freedom
Scale: 0-100
Partly Free
Freedom House (2024)
Democracy Index
Scale: 0-10
Flawed Democracy
Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)
Legislature
Major Political Parties
Center-right
Center-left
Center-left
Center-right
Voting Rights
Universal suffrage for Dominican citizens over 18 years of age. Voting is compulsory. Citizens vote in presidential elections held every four years on the third Sunday of May, with concurrent legislative and municipal elections.
Recent Developments
- Constitutional reform approved October 27, 2024, reducing Chamber of Deputies from 190 to 137 seats and consolidating all elections to the third Sunday of May beginning in 2028
- New penal code signed by President Luis Abinader on August 3, 2025, set to take effect in August 2026, marking major justice system reform
- Constitutional amendments transferring Attorney General appointment authority from the president to the National Council of the Judiciary to enhance judicial independence
- Presidential term limits established as unamendable constitutional provision to guarantee alternation of power
- Last legislative elections held in 2024 with Modern Revolutionary Party maintaining control
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