Challenges abound for Leonel Fernandez as he returns to the presidency this week, aiming to lead the Dominican Republic out of its worst economic crisis in decades by asking its people to accept painful economic sacrifices.
Fernandez, who as president from 1996 to 2000 presided over relative stability, trounced outgoing President Hipolito Mejia in May 16 elections by promising a return to progress.
His new government is inheriting some US$6 billion in foreign debt, worsening power outages and a desperation among the poor that is driving thousands to risk illegal voyages by boat to the wealthier US territory of Puerto Rico.
US authorities have intercepted more than 7,000 Dominican boat people in the last 10 months. Last week, authorities rescued 39 Dominicans who drifted for 10 days after their motorboat broke down on the way to Puerto Rico. Forty-seven others disappeared at sea -- many of them jumping overboard in desperation -- and eight died of dehydration after being rescued.
Economists say Fernandez will face unpopular decisions in trying to address 16 percent unemployment, 32 percent inflation and a Dominican peso that has lost half its value against the US dollar in two years, doubling prices in the Caribbean nation of 8.8 million.
"This crisis will last at least two years and will be painful," said Miguel Ceara-Hatton, an economist with the UN Development Program in Santo Domingo.
Economists say a turnaround requires steep tax hikes and cuts in spending, meaning fewer social services, government jobs and subsidies for electricity and gas.
Fernandez's aides say he was to present a blueprint for such changes in his inaugural address following his swearing-in yesterday.
More than a dozen heads-of-state and ex-presidents were to attend, including Brazilian President Ignacio Lula da Silva, former US President Jimmy Carter and the Spanish prince and princess, Felipe de Borbon and his wife Letizia Ortiz.
Fernandez stepped down in 2000 due to a single-term limit that was later rescinded. He left office amid a scandal involving US$100 million allegedly embezzled from a government fund. He denied wrongdoing, but his successor Danilo Medina was easily defeated by Mejia in 2000.
Many Dominicans say they are frustrated with Mejia, who in defense said he faced a tourism lull after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and a 2003 bank scandal that cost the treasury US$2.2 billion.
"I just hope Fernandez can bring a different attitude," said Juary Rodriguez, 32, a mechanic. "Mejia has given up."
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