When Luis Abinader Corona takes office on 16 August after his victory in the Dominican Republic’s presidential elections on 5 July it will be a day of many firsts. Abinader will be the first president representing the Partido Revolucionario Moderno (PRM); the first to appoint a female to the influential post of presidential spokesperson; and, crucially, the first to take over in the midst of a state of exception. President Danilo Medina, of the outgoing Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD), decreed a state of emergency for 45 days this week amid a surge in confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) with the elections most likely partially responsible for the uptick. Passing legislation to combat Covid-19 on the health and economic front will be crucial for Abinader, who will enjoy strong support in congress.End of preview - This article contains approximately 1180 words.
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