Dominican Republic · Government
Government and administration in Dominican Republic
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Executive — President of the Republic
- Four-year term, one consecutive re-election permitted.
- Legislative — Congreso Nacional
- Chamber of Deputies (190) and Senate (32).
- Judicial — Judicial power
- Headed by the Supreme Court; the Consejo del Poder Judicial administers and disciplines.
- Appointing body — Consejo Nacional de la Magistratura
- Selects Supreme and Constitutional Court judges through public hearings.
How legislation is made
Bills may be introduced by legislators, the President, the Supreme Court on judicial matters, the electoral bodies, or by popular initiative. Both chambers must approve the same text in two readings; the President may observe (veto) a bill, which Congress overrides with two-thirds of each chamber. Constitutional reform requires a special National Revising Assembly.
Enforcement institutions
- Ministerio Público (Procuraduría General)
- Directs criminal investigation and prosecution.
- Policía Nacional
- Under a reform programme following Law 590-16.
- Defensa Pública
- Autonomous public defender service, constitutionally guaranteed.
- Cámara de Cuentas
- External audit of public funds, reporting to Congress.
Government bodies and regulators
- executiveProcuraduría General de la RepúblicaDirects criminal investigation and public prosecution.
- judicialConsejo del Poder JudicialAdministers and disciplines the judiciary.
- independentJunta Central ElectoralAdministers elections and the civil registry.
- independentOficina Nacional de Defensa PúblicaProvides free criminal defence.
- independentCámara de CuentasExternal audit of public funds.
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