STATE AND POLITICS

Political districts: The Dominican Republic is made up of 29 provinces and one national district (area of the capital). A governor is in charge of the province, whilst the District Nacional is run by the mayor of the capital. The governors are appointed by the president.

The president: Is being elected every 4 years, always on the 16th. of May. Traditionally the new president takes over the office on the 16th. of August. He is also the chief in command for the armed forces and for the police, and he also appoints the ministers and declares new laws.

National congress: Two years after the election of the president, the national congress gets elected, Congreso Nacional. It is made up of 120 delegates of the Camera de Diputandos,and 30 delegatees from the senate (Senado). Each of the 120 delegates of the Camera de Diputandos represents 50000 inhabitants, but at least 2 per province are appointed.

Military: The dominican armed forces have to be seen as a power factor. The generals are, by law, neutral, however this is very hard to enforce. Far too long have the armed forces acted like a stabilizing force, without whom nothing really happened. There are about 31000 troups in the armed forces, comprised of 22000 troups land force, 4500 marine force and 4000 air force. There is no compulsory military duty, but for many people to join is the only way to get out of unemployment.