Politics

The politics of the Dominican Republic takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of the Dominican Republic is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the National Congress. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Executive Branch

The president is both the Chief of State and the head of government. The president appoints the cabinet, executes laws passed by the legislative branch, and is commander in chief of the armed forces. The President and Vice President are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms, elections are held in even numbered years divisible by four.

Legislative Branch

Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la República). The upper house is the Senate (Senado) with 32 members, elected for a four year term in single-seat constituencies. The lower house is the Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) has 178 members, elected for a four year term by proportional representation in each of the provinces. Congressional and municipal elections are held in even numbered years not divisible by four.

Judicial Branch

Under the constitutional reforms negotiated after the 1994 elections, the 16-member Supreme Court of Justice is appointed by a National Judicial Council, which is nominated by the three major political parties. The court has sole jurisdiction over actions against the president, designated members of his cabinet, and members of Congress.

The Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts and chooses members of lower courts. Each of the 31 provinces is headed by a presidentially appointed governor. Elected mayors and municipal councils administer the National District (Santo Domingo) and the 103 municipal districts.