Nicaraguan Congress Passes Ortega-Backed Reform Excluding Opposition From Elections
The amendment also extends terms to seven years and delays presidential elections until late 2027, drawing criticism from the United States and regional governments.
- On Tuesday, Nicaragua's National Assembly passed a constitutional reform backed by co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, banning opposition parties from elections and extending presidential terms to seven years.
- Ortega publicly stated on July 19 that "there won't be any more elections" in Nicaragua to prevent the opposition from "seizing the government" again, framing the legislative action as a protective measure.
- The approved measure also extends terms for co-presidents and other elected officials, as well as heads of the army and police, from six to seven years, while postponing presidential elections until late 2027.
- Several countries including the United States, Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile criticized the move, while Panama withdrew its ambassador from Managua; a required second legislative vote to ratify the amendment begins January 18.
- Nicaragua remains in a deep political crisis dating back to April 2018, when government repression of anti-government protests left more than 300 dead, marking a period of instability under the Americas' longest-serving leader, Ortega.
72 Articles
72 Articles
The constitutional norm to be ratified in January also extends the terms of Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo to seven years.
The National Assembly maintained that the changes seek to guarantee elections free of foreign pressure and preserve social peace.
The Nicaraguan Parliament unanimously adopted the constitutional amendment supported by President Daniel Ortega. The regulation increases the presidential term from 6 years to 7 years, while closing the bar for opponents facing certain charges from participating in the elections.
Parliament approves the constitutional reform on the Chinese model and puts the country under the control of the dictator and his wife, Rosaria Murillo. Political movements in exile protest and hope that international pressures will bring back democracy
nd-aktuell.de
Those who are regarded as "country traitors" in Nicaragua must no longer run for office in the future. The National Assembly decides this by constitutional reform.
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