José Ernesto Abud urges Dominican youth to prioritize preparation over political ambition
Political strategist and leader of the Fuerza del Pueblo party, José Ernesto Abud, has sent a powerful message to young Dominicans who aspire to enter public life: true political renewal requires much more than youth; it demands solid training and a real commitment to social transformation.
Abud, who has a background as a former mayor of Villa Tapia and former national youth secretary of his party, emphasized that generational renewal should not be understood simply as a change of ages on electoral ballots, but as a paradigm shift in the way power is exercised.
Being young does not automatically make you a renewal. The difference lies in how you prepare yourself, what you represent, and why you want to reach that position. A candidacy can give you a position, but that does not necessarily mean you are prepared to exercise it.
José Ernesto Abud
Building leadership before seeking positions
For the strategist, one of the most common mistakes of new aspirants is trying to reach a candidacy before having cemented a foundation of their own leadership. According to his vision, success in public management depends on factors that must be cultivated in advance, such as:
- Deep knowledge of the territory and its realities.
- Building solid relationships and trained work teams.
- Definition of clear political stances on community issues.
- Clarity regarding ethical boundaries in the exercise of power.
Abud maintains that the approach should be “build first and announce later.” This preparation process, he asserts, is indispensable for the young politician to be capable of responding to the needs of the population when they finally assume a public responsibility.
The challenge of transforming political culture
The political leader warned about the danger of new leaderships becoming mere reproducers of the questionable practices that have eroded public trust in the democratic system. In this sense, he called for political youth to act with character and ethics.
We do not need young people who simply reproduce the same practices that we criticize. If the relay changes the age, but maintains the way of understanding power, we change the faces and leave the problem intact.
José Ernesto Abud
Finally, Abud acknowledged the efforts of the Fuerza del Pueblo and the leadership of Leonel Fernández to encourage youth participation, but stressed that the challenge is transversal to all political organizations. His exhortation is clear: the ultimate goal should not be just to win an election, but to prepare to execute an efficient and responsible administration that generates a positive impact on Dominican society.
