Dominican President Luis Abinader assumed the presidency of the Partido Revolucionario Moderno (PRM) on Sunday, taking formal control of the ruling party alongside a newly installed leadership team.
Abinader was joined by Deligne Ascención as vice president, Juan Garrigó as secretary general, and Gloria Reyes as secretary of Organization. He becomes the third president in the PRM's history.
The PRM traces its origins to 2013, when Alianza Social Dominicana changed its name and absorbed a mass exodus of leaders from the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD) following a bitter rift between Miguel Vargas Maldonado and Hipólito Mejía. The party was formally founded on September 9, 2014.
From a New Party to the Presidency
The PRM's first president was Andrés Bautista, with Jesús Vásquez Martínez, known as "Chu," serving as secretary general. The pair were responsible for organizing the fledgling party and helping fund its early operations as it sought to distance itself from the old PRD.
A second generation of leaders then took over, with José Ignacio Paliza as president and Carolina Mejía as secretary general. Their task was to connect the organization with voters and channel public frustration with the then-ruling Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD).
Under Paliza and Mejía, the PRM rose to power behind the leadership of Abinader and former president Hipólito Mejía, growing into the most dominant political force in the country. The party now holds absolute control of both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
Influence Over State Institutions
With control of both the executive and legislative branches, the PRM has been able to shape the renewal of major institutions, including the Supreme Court of Justice, the Constitutional Tribunal and the Superior Electoral Tribunal. During this period, the party has also overseen two elections to the Chamber of Accounts and the appointment of the national ombudsman.
As he takes the reins of the party, Abinader's central task is to preserve unity within its ranks and act as an arbiter among competing factions, with the aim of keeping the PRM in power or at least in control of the National Congress.
A Party Built on Rapid Growth
The PRM became a major political force almost immediately after its 2014 founding, absorbing a base of militants who had spent years in the PRD. In its first electoral contest, it emerged as the country's second-largest political force.
The party's rise was rapid from there. Just six years after its founding, the PRM was already leading the country and controlling a significant share of public power, before going on to secure dominant majorities in both the executive and legislative branches.
Abinader has guided the PRM through a run of electoral success, leading it to power and becoming the only candidate in the combined history of the PRD and PRM to win presidential reelection. His administration has had both highs and lows, and its full record is expected to be assessed with greater perspective once he leaves office.
Abinader now faces the task of not only leading his party, but keeping it united and working to ensure it remains in power.
