Dominican Leader Takes Office, Backs Austerity Program
President Joaquin Balaguer, beginning his sixth term in office Thursday, defended his austerity plan, which touched off deadly protests this week.
The nationwide strike Monday and Tuesday brought this Caribbean nation of 7 million people to a near-standstill. Clashes between protesters and security forces left at least 11 dead and 50 wounded. Police arrested 2,000 protesters.
At his inauguration Thursday, Balaguer said the program that prompted the protests is necessary.
“As I assume another term, I am obligated not to make promises, but to point out the changes that are needed to make the government work,” the conservative president said in his inaugural address.
Balaguer, 83 and blind from glaucoma, narrowly defeated his longtime leftist rival, Juan Bosch, in an election May 16. Bosch, 81, who accused Balaguer of widespread voter fraud, did not attend the inauguration.
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