SANTO DOMINGO – President Luis Abinader stated this Saturday, in a message to the nation, that he has always been faithful to the principle that in a democracy everything can be achieved with the people, but nothing against the people, and therefore he is proceeding to request the immediate withdrawal of the Fiscal Modernization Bill from the agenda of the National Congress.
In a message to the Dominican people, the president expressed that the voice of the people has reached his ears, that he has heard their concerns, their reservations, their worries, and has felt the pulse of the nation in every corner, in every conversation, in every space where their voice has resonated, and he understands that the proposed Fiscal Modernization Law does not have the necessary consensus to be approved.
"A true democratic government is not afraid to amend its decisions when it listens to the people, because listening is a sign of strength. And I am a president who listens. I am not isolated, I don't live in a bubble," the president stated.
He also added: "I read the newspapers, listen to the radio, watch television, meet with all sectors, check social media, travel the country; and besides being president, I am a citizen, son, brother, husband, father, friend, someone who, like you, can hear the collective rhythm of discontent.".
He maintained that “in the past, to the rhythm of those beats, I defended democracy. Now I also feel and hear them. Then and now I value them equally.”.
The president explained that this will involve adjusting the scope of the development plans he had proposed and building acceptable alternatives to achieve the Dominican Republic we want.
He asserted that, with this decision, he confirms that the Government is connected to the reality of its people, acts responsibly and, above all, with sensitivity, always seeking the well-being of the majority.
"I am convinced that our democracy must be a constant dialogue, a conversation in which every voice counts and every opinion carries weight. Democracy is not, and should not be, a monologue or a practice that only takes place every four years," he asserted.
Democracy, he insisted, is and must be the ongoing exchange between the people and their rulers. "In this sense, our practice has always been consistent: to propose, to listen, and, if necessary, to correct course. To correct course is to recognize that decisions—even well-intentioned ones—must be changed when they do not meet the possibilities and expectations of the people.".
President Abinader said he fulfilled his responsibility by presenting the country with a comprehensive plan of structural changesthat include the approval of a Fiscal Responsibility Law that, for the first time in history, sets a medium-term debt target and a ceiling on government spending.
He added that a proposal to merge and eliminate ministries, directorates, and institutions, which would represent significant savings and greater efficiency in public administration, was shared three weeks ago; and now, it would be completed with the approval of a Fiscal Modernization Law, but this latter initiative, as has been observed, did not receive citizen support.
Furthermore, he reiterated that the proposed Fiscal Modernization Law, presented by the government's economic team to Congress for debate and consensus, did not arise from improvisation or a personal whim, but from the deepest sense of responsibility towards the country.
The head of state expressed that this message to the Dominican people goes beyond figures, laws, and technicalities; rather, it is a message of sincerity, humility, and above all, commitment. An honest message, as he has always believed every act of public service should be.
He reaffirmed his conviction that transparency and truth are the pillars upon which the future must be built. He considered this a crucial moment and said he has taken on this challenge with the conviction that action must be taken now to guarantee the well-being of future generations.
“This obligation, which others evaded to protect their political popularity, we assumed with responsibility and courage to guarantee the sustainability of the Dominican economy. We did so convinced of the need for structural change that would reduce dependence on external debt and increase our capacity to finance solutions to your problems of security, drinking water, electricity, health, and transportation; and to eliminate distortions and privileges,” the president stated.
He explained that it will not be easy to solve each of these problems if the Dominican Republic continues to be one of the countries with the lowest tax revenue and one of the lowest public expenditures in Latin America.
President Abinader concluded his speech by reaffirming that, as always, he will continue working alongside the Dominican people, so that the Dominican Republic continues to advance with justice, equity, and prosperity for all.
