Leonel Fernández
Encyclopedia
Leonel Antonio Fernández Reyna (born 26 December 1953) is a Dominican
lawyer, academic, and the current President of the Dominican Republic since 2004. He held the same office from 1996 to 2000. His current term ends in 2012.
Fernández became the first elected President of the Dominican Republic
under his political party, the Dominican Liberation Party
("Partido de la Liberación Dominicana" in Spanish), although party founder Juan Bosch
was also sworn as President in 1963 after the first democratic elections held on roughly four decades in the country. His administrations have focused much on technological and infrastructural development and macroeconomic and monetary stability (no hyperinflationary crisis has occurred under Leonel Fernández and PLD administrations).
He is a native of Villa Juana, Distrito Nacional
and lived for much of his childhood and early adulthood in New York City, New York
.
neighborhood, well known for being densely populated by Dominican-ancestry residents.
After he finished High School, he returned to his country and started Law Studies in the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo
. In the meanwhile, he joined the Dominican Liberation Party
upon at its inception in 1973, when former Dominican President Juan Bosch
left the Dominican Revolutionary Party
(PRD) to create the new party. Fernández was known as a close pupil of Bosch and was presented as a vice-presidential candidate with the latter during the 1994 presidential election.
, were widely opposed by runner-up opposition leader José Francisco Peña Gomez
and his party. In the meantime, the international community rose their concerns on the tightening of the political tensions and fear the country was on the verge of a civil uprising. Upon an official agreement widely known as "Pact for Democracy" ("Pacto por la Democracia" in Spanish) a special election was scheduled for May 1996 and President Balaguer acceded to not run in this election as part of the arranged treaty. PRSC opted to present Vice-President Jacinto Peynado
as their candidate, however PRSC supporters feared he wasn't properly endorsed by their historical leader, therefore creating a vast independent mass of electors.
In the first-round election on 16 May 1996 Fernández received 38.9% of the vote in the first round achieving second place behind José Francisco Peña Gómez
and PRD. Peynado obtained 15% of the vote, the lowest outcome in Balaguer's party history which initiated a long-term downfall. After 2010 Presidential election, PRSC lost briefly its official recognition as a majority party, but regained it after an alliance with PLD was announced by Leonel Fernández for 2010 mid-term elections, in where both parties achieved 100% of Senate positions and obtained over 2/3 of the seats on the Chamber of Deputies. In the run-off election, held on 30 June 1996, the "Patriotic Front" integrated, and Fernández thus secured 51.2% of the votes to win the election. He was sworn in as President on 16 August 1996, succeeding Balaguer.
During his term in office, Fernández's political agenda was one of economic and critical reform. He helped enhance Dominican participation in hemispheric forums, such as the Organization of American States
and the Summit of the Americas
. The Dominican economy enjoyed an average growth rate of seven percent, the highest in Latin America for that period, and was among the highest in the world along with South Korea
's and People's Republic of China
. Inflation
was stabilized in the low single digits, also among the lowest of Latin America.
Fernández also began a very personal and visionary plan to run the Dominican Republic. When developers proposed the country's first modern port during his first term, he said that "We could be the Singapore of the Caribbean". In Santo Domingo and Santiago, which comprised 40% of the country population, he favored then-called "mega-projects", his government built numerous highways and tunnels which improved transit across the greater extent of these cities and created OMSA (Metropolitan Office of Autobus Services in English). Also gave incentives for foreign direct investment
.
In 2000, Fernández was unable to run for a consecutive term as the 1994 constitution did not allow it. His party held primaries to elect a presidential nominee, which were won by Danilo Medina
with 52% of the votes against Vice-President Jaime David Fernández Mirabal
. Medina, who was sworn as the PLD candidate for the 2000 presidential election, was defeated by the PRD candidate, Hipólito Mejía
. Mejia did not satisfy the 50% rule to avoid a feared run-off election, but Balaguer, who placed second, recognized Mejia's win immediately.
held on 16 May 2004 with an absolute majority and the second highest percentage ever in Dominican history (57%). He was sworn in on 16 August 2004. His victory was due in large part to the collapse of the Dominican economy. This collapse has been attributed to skyrocketing oil prices and a slumping international economy post-9/11, excessive borrowing under the Mejía administration and the failure of three of the biggest banks in the country: Banco Intercontinental
(Baninter), Bancrédito and Banco Mercantil. In an effort to avoid further economic chaos, the Mejía administration effectively underwrote all three banks, repaying their customers but generating even greater public debt. Some of the bankers involved have been or are on trial, yet the extent of their fraud is hard to measure as their widespread largess with officials within both the Fernández and Mejía administrations has made it nearly impossible to achieve a true accounting of what conditions led to the banks's demise.
Fernández is seen by many Dominicans as a forward and innovative thinker, yet he is considered very traditional regarding social investment. According to local sociologist José Oviedo, "The country trusts him with the economy, but he does not seem to pay that much attention to social issues." Economic prosperity, which his government boasts of, doesn't seem to reach enough people.
As a result, Fernández became the official PLD candidate for the presidency in the May 2008 General Election.
Fernández was declared the victor of the 2008 election, defeating six others, including the PRD candidate and former president Mejía's right-hand man, Miguel Vargas, and the PRSC's candidate, Amable Aristy. Fernández defeated Vargas 53% to 40%, while the third big-party candidate, Aristy, got only around 4%. Vargas accepted the defeat the same day, 16 May. Fernández was sworn in for his third term on 16 August 2008, with the traditional ceremony at the National Congress
.
President Fernández has received the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the following institutions:
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Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
lawyer, academic, and the current President of the Dominican Republic since 2004. He held the same office from 1996 to 2000. His current term ends in 2012.
Fernández became the first elected President of the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
under his political party, the Dominican Liberation Party
Dominican Liberation Party
The Dominican Liberation Party is one of the main political parties of the Dominican Republic, and has a centrist position.The party has been elected into office thrice now with Leonel Fernández as President of the Dominican Republic in the 1996, 2004 and 2008 elections, though losing in 2000...
("Partido de la Liberación Dominicana" in Spanish), although party founder Juan Bosch
Juan Bosch
Juan Emilio Bosch Gaviño was a politician, historian, short story writer, essayist, educator, and the first cleanly elected president of the Dominican Republic for a brief time in 1963. Previously, he had been the leader of the Dominican opposition in exile to the dictatorial regime of Rafael...
was also sworn as President in 1963 after the first democratic elections held on roughly four decades in the country. His administrations have focused much on technological and infrastructural development and macroeconomic and monetary stability (no hyperinflationary crisis has occurred under Leonel Fernández and PLD administrations).
He is a native of Villa Juana, Distrito Nacional
Distrito Nacional
The Distrito Nacional is a subdivision of the Dominican Republic enclosing the capital Santo Domingo. It is not within any of the provinces, but is itself counted as a province. Before October 16, 2001, the Distrito Nacional was much larger, including what is now known as Santo Domingo Province....
and lived for much of his childhood and early adulthood in New York City, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Early life
Fernandez is the son of José Antonio Fernández Collado and Yolanda Reyna Romero. His family moved to the United States and he spent most of his childhood and teenage years in living in New York City in the Washington HeightsWashington Heights
Washington Heights may refer to some places in the United States:*Washington Heights, Manhattan **Washington Heights , a 2003 film set in Washington Heights, Manhattan*Washington Heights, New York...
neighborhood, well known for being densely populated by Dominican-ancestry residents.
After he finished High School, he returned to his country and started Law Studies in the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo
Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo
The Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo is the public university system in the Dominican Republic with its main campus in Santo Domingo and regional centers across the Republic...
. In the meanwhile, he joined the Dominican Liberation Party
Dominican Liberation Party
The Dominican Liberation Party is one of the main political parties of the Dominican Republic, and has a centrist position.The party has been elected into office thrice now with Leonel Fernández as President of the Dominican Republic in the 1996, 2004 and 2008 elections, though losing in 2000...
upon at its inception in 1973, when former Dominican President Juan Bosch
Juan Bosch
Juan Emilio Bosch Gaviño was a politician, historian, short story writer, essayist, educator, and the first cleanly elected president of the Dominican Republic for a brief time in 1963. Previously, he had been the leader of the Dominican opposition in exile to the dictatorial regime of Rafael...
left the Dominican Revolutionary Party
Dominican Revolutionary Party
The Dominican Revolutionary Party is one of the main political parties of the Dominican Republic. It has a moderate centrist position, social democratic in name. The party's distinctive color is white....
(PRD) to create the new party. Fernández was known as a close pupil of Bosch and was presented as a vice-presidential candidate with the latter during the 1994 presidential election.
First presidential term (1996–2000)
The 1994 presidential election results, which resulted in a reelection of President Joaquín BalaguerJoaquín Balaguer
Joaquín Antonio Balaguer Ricardo was the President of the Dominican Republic from 1960 to 1962, from 1966 to 1978, and again from 1986 to 1996.-Early life and introduction to politics:...
, were widely opposed by runner-up opposition leader José Francisco Peña Gomez
José Francisco Peña Gómez
José Francisco Peña Gómez was a politician from the Dominican Republic. He was the leader of the Dominican Revolutionary Party , a three-time candidate for president of the Dominican Republic and former Mayor of Santo Domingo...
and his party. In the meantime, the international community rose their concerns on the tightening of the political tensions and fear the country was on the verge of a civil uprising. Upon an official agreement widely known as "Pact for Democracy" ("Pacto por la Democracia" in Spanish) a special election was scheduled for May 1996 and President Balaguer acceded to not run in this election as part of the arranged treaty. PRSC opted to present Vice-President Jacinto Peynado
Jacinto Peynado
Jacinto Bienvenido Peynado was the President of the Dominican Republic from August 16, 1938 until February 24, 1940 during the Trujillo Era. During his 31-year regime, dictator Rafael Trujillo appointed four individuals to serve as ceremonial Presidents while retaining direct, behind-the-scenes...
as their candidate, however PRSC supporters feared he wasn't properly endorsed by their historical leader, therefore creating a vast independent mass of electors.
In the first-round election on 16 May 1996 Fernández received 38.9% of the vote in the first round achieving second place behind José Francisco Peña Gómez
José Francisco Peña Gómez
José Francisco Peña Gómez was a politician from the Dominican Republic. He was the leader of the Dominican Revolutionary Party , a three-time candidate for president of the Dominican Republic and former Mayor of Santo Domingo...
and PRD. Peynado obtained 15% of the vote, the lowest outcome in Balaguer's party history which initiated a long-term downfall. After 2010 Presidential election, PRSC lost briefly its official recognition as a majority party, but regained it after an alliance with PLD was announced by Leonel Fernández for 2010 mid-term elections, in where both parties achieved 100% of Senate positions and obtained over 2/3 of the seats on the Chamber of Deputies. In the run-off election, held on 30 June 1996, the "Patriotic Front" integrated, and Fernández thus secured 51.2% of the votes to win the election. He was sworn in as President on 16 August 1996, succeeding Balaguer.
During his term in office, Fernández's political agenda was one of economic and critical reform. He helped enhance Dominican participation in hemispheric forums, such as the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
and the Summit of the Americas
Summit of the Americas
The Summits of the Americas is a series of international summit meetings bringing together the leaders of countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Neither the elderly leader nor a representative from Cuba participated in this summit...
. The Dominican economy enjoyed an average growth rate of seven percent, the highest in Latin America for that period, and was among the highest in the world along with South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
's and People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. Inflation
Inflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
was stabilized in the low single digits, also among the lowest of Latin America.
Fernández also began a very personal and visionary plan to run the Dominican Republic. When developers proposed the country's first modern port during his first term, he said that "We could be the Singapore of the Caribbean". In Santo Domingo and Santiago, which comprised 40% of the country population, he favored then-called "mega-projects", his government built numerous highways and tunnels which improved transit across the greater extent of these cities and created OMSA (Metropolitan Office of Autobus Services in English). Also gave incentives for foreign direct investment
Foreign direct investment
Foreign direct investment or foreign investment refers to the net inflows of investment to acquire a lasting management interest in an enterprise operating in an economy other than that of the investor.. It is the sum of equity capital,other long-term capital, and short-term capital as shown in...
.
In 2000, Fernández was unable to run for a consecutive term as the 1994 constitution did not allow it. His party held primaries to elect a presidential nominee, which were won by Danilo Medina
Danilo Medina
Danilo Medina Sánchez is an economist, engineer and Dominican politician. He was the presidential candidate of the Dominican Liberation Party in the 2000 presidential election, and was defeated by Hipólito Mejía....
with 52% of the votes against Vice-President Jaime David Fernández Mirabal
Jaime David Fernández Mirabal
Dr. Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal . He was Vice President of Dominican Republic. Became Vice President on the first Government of the Dominican Liberation Party in the period 1996-2000. He is currently the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic...
. Medina, who was sworn as the PLD candidate for the 2000 presidential election, was defeated by the PRD candidate, Hipólito Mejía
Hipólito Mejía
Rafael Hipólito Mejía Domínguez is a Dominican politician and former President of the Dominican Republic...
. Mejia did not satisfy the 50% rule to avoid a feared run-off election, but Balaguer, who placed second, recognized Mejia's win immediately.
Second presidential term (2004–2008)
Fernández was elected to a second term of office in the presidential electionDominican Republic presidential election, 2004
Presidential elections were held in the Dominican Republic on 16 May 2004. The result was a victory for former president Leonel Fernández, who defeated incumbent Hipólito Mejía...
held on 16 May 2004 with an absolute majority and the second highest percentage ever in Dominican history (57%). He was sworn in on 16 August 2004. His victory was due in large part to the collapse of the Dominican economy. This collapse has been attributed to skyrocketing oil prices and a slumping international economy post-9/11, excessive borrowing under the Mejía administration and the failure of three of the biggest banks in the country: Banco Intercontinental
Banco Intercontinental
Banco Intercontinental was the second largest privately held commercial bank in the Dominican Republic before collapsing in 2003 in a spectacular fraud tied to political corruption...
(Baninter), Bancrédito and Banco Mercantil. In an effort to avoid further economic chaos, the Mejía administration effectively underwrote all three banks, repaying their customers but generating even greater public debt. Some of the bankers involved have been or are on trial, yet the extent of their fraud is hard to measure as their widespread largess with officials within both the Fernández and Mejía administrations has made it nearly impossible to achieve a true accounting of what conditions led to the banks's demise.
Fernández is seen by many Dominicans as a forward and innovative thinker, yet he is considered very traditional regarding social investment. According to local sociologist José Oviedo, "The country trusts him with the economy, but he does not seem to pay that much attention to social issues." Economic prosperity, which his government boasts of, doesn't seem to reach enough people.
Presidential Elections 2008
During the Mejía administration, the constitution was changed to again allow the immediate re-election of presidents. Although Mejía was ultimately unsuccessful in his bid for re-election, this opened the door for Fernández to attempt a similar run. On 7 May 2007, despite great controversy over whether the PLD party should support the concept of re-election, Fernández won the PLD primary election with a 72% voting percentage against his former Chief of Staff and confidant, Danilo Medina.As a result, Fernández became the official PLD candidate for the presidency in the May 2008 General Election.
Fernández was declared the victor of the 2008 election, defeating six others, including the PRD candidate and former president Mejía's right-hand man, Miguel Vargas, and the PRSC's candidate, Amable Aristy. Fernández defeated Vargas 53% to 40%, while the third big-party candidate, Aristy, got only around 4%. Vargas accepted the defeat the same day, 16 May. Fernández was sworn in for his third term on 16 August 2008, with the traditional ceremony at the National Congress
Congress of the Dominican Republic
The Congress of the Dominican Republic is the bicameral legislature of the government of the Dominican Republic, consisting of two houses, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Both senators and deputies are chosen through direct election...
.
Awards, honours, and memberships
- Collar of the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez and MellaOrder of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez and MellaThe Order of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez and Mella is the principal order of the Dominican Republic. It was established on 24 February 1931 as the Juan Pablo Duarte Order of Merit and renamed on 9 September 1954...
- Collar of the Order of Christopher ColumbusOrder of Christopher ColumbusThe Order of Christopher Columbus is an order of the Dominican Republic. It was established on 21 July 1937. The Head of State confer the order, by advice of the council of the order, both to civilians and military personnel to recognize services....
- Membership in the Club of MadridClub of MadridThe Club de Madrid is an independent non-profit organization created to promote democracy and change in the international community. Composed of 80 former Presidents and Prime Ministers from 56 countries, the Club de Madrid is the world’s largest forum of former Heads of State and Government.Among...
- BRAVO Lifetime Achievement AwardLatin TradeLatin Trade is a monthly magazine covering global business in Latin America and the Caribbean. Similar to Forbes and Fortune Magazine in coverage, the magazine was founded in 1993 and now publishes 40,000 copies every two months in Spanish and English. Some 90% of the magazine's circulation is in...
Latin Trade Magazine
President Fernández has received the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the following institutions:
- University of Paris 1 or La Sorbonne – 1999
- Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
– 1999 - Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureňa – 2000
- Seton Hall – 2000
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile – 2002
- Lehman CollegeLehman CollegeLehman College is one of the constituent colleges of the City University of New York, USA. Founded in 1931 as the Bronx campus of Hunter College, the school became an independent college within the City University in 1968. The college is named after Herbert Lehman, a former New York governor,...
– 2002 - Stevens Institute of TechnologyStevens Institute of TechnologyStevens Institute of Technology is a technological university located on a campus in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA – founded in 1870 with an 1868 bequest from Edwin A. Stevens. It is known for its engineering, science, and technological management curricula.The institute has produced leading...
, New Jersey – 2004 - University of MassachusettsUniversity of MassachusettsThis article relates to the statewide university system. For the flagship campus often referred to as "UMass", see University of Massachusetts Amherst...
– 2005 - Hankuk University of Foreign StudiesHankuk University of Foreign StudiesHankuk University of Foreign Studies is one of the leading universities in the Republic of Korea.HUFS has been consistently ranked as one of the most prestigious higher education institutes in Korea, especially being ranked as a top in the field of Foreign Language...
, South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
– 2006 - Chinese Culture University, Taiwan – 2006
- Institute of High studies of Defense of the Dominican Air Forces – 2009
External links
- Dominican Republic Presidency official website
- Biography
- Biography at CIDOB FoundationCIDOB FoundationCIDOB, acronym of Barcelona Centre for International Affairs , is a Catalan think-tank based in Barcelona, Spain, dedicated to research, document and divulge contents of the different areas of international relations and...
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