The president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, sent to the National Assembly a proposal to reform at least a hundred articles of the Political Constitution to extend, among other things, the presidential term from five to six years.
In the proposal, the Sandinista government also recommends the creation of the figure of a “co-president” and a “co-president”, who would be elected “through universal suffrage.” Both the co-president and the co-president would have the same power.
The term “co-president” was used by Ortega informally during a speech some time ago, but without legal support for it. Ortega then named his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, de facto “co-president.”
The “co-presidents” could appoint vice presidents “who will perform functions assigned to them,” according to the initiative.
The proposal was submitted on Tuesday before the National Assembly, dominated by the ruling party, and is expected to be debated and approved expeditiously.
The president of the Assembly, Gustavo Porras, described the extensive reform as a “modernization of the Magna Carta.”
Presidency above the other powers
The constitutional changes requested by Ortega also aim to disrupt national symbols. The government requested that the flag of the ruling Sandinista Front party be elevated to the status of a national symbol.
On the other hand, the government requested to have the power to “order the intervention of the Nicaraguan Army in support of the National Police, when the stability of the Republic requires it.”
The reform also establishes that the presidency will have complete control over the other powers of the State. “The Presidency of the Republic exercises the head of State and Government.”
He adds that “power resides in the people, and is exercised through direct democracy and the protagonism of the person, the family and the community.”
OAS rejects the proposal as “aberrant”
This Wednesday, the secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, denounced that Ortega and his political allies aspire to “increase their absolute control of the State and perpetuate themselves in power,” through this proposal.
“It constitutes an aberrant form of institutionalization of the matrimonial dictatorship and is a definitive attack on the rule of law,” Almagro’s statement read.
Likewise, various sectors of the Nicaraguan opposition have rejected the constitutional reform proposal.
Businessman and former presidential candidate Juan Sebastián Chamorro said that the new Constitution will be “despotic”, since it eliminates the form of government with “separation of powers” and establishes “the official flag.”
«Because of this violation of constitutional rights, some people will say that this is what happened in practice, but this is extremely serious. As Nicaraguans we must be aware of the magnitude of these changes. We should not accept it.”
Meanwhile, the Inter-American Legal Assistance Center on Human Rights (CALIDH), a Nicaraguan NGO formed in Argentina, described the text of the reform as an “irreversible distortion of the constitutional text” that “elevates to constitutional rank the absolute distortion to which ( Daniel Ortega) has subjected the State.”
The constitutional reform proposal was received by the National Assembly to be approved in its first legislature this year and ratified next year.
Nicaragua has been experiencing a political crisis for more than six years since protests arose against President Daniel Ortega, who has governed the Central American country since 2007.
Opponents classify Ortega as “a dictator” who has established himself in power through “electoral fraud” and maneuvers in the Political Constitution.
The ruling party has cataloged the proposals for constitutional reforms as the “consolidation of what we have advanced in this revolutionary process.”
“It is a Constitution that consolidates what we have advanced in this revolutionary process of all Nicaraguans,” said the president of the legislative branch, Gustavo Porras, sanctioned by the United States for violation of human rights.
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**How does Dr. Alvarez believe the proposed “co-presidency” structure aligns with Nicaragua’s history of authoritarianism and what specific democratic institutions are most threatened by this change?**
## Interview: Nicaragua’s Proposed Constitutional Reforms
**Welcome to World Today News. Today we delve into the controversial proposed constitutional reforms in Nicaragua, a move by President Daniel Ortega that has sparked international condemnation and raised serious questions about the future of democracy in the country. We are joined by two distinguished guests:**
* **Dr. Maria Alvarez, a political scientist specializing in Central American politics**, and
* **Carlos Sanchez, a Nicaraguan human rights activist residing in exile**.
**Section 1: Power Consolidation and “Co-Presidency”:**
* **Host:** Dr. Alvarez, the proposed reforms suggest a significant power shift towards the presidency, including the introduction of “co-presidents.” How does this align with Nicaragua’s historical context and political trajectory? What implications could this have for democratic institutions and checks and balances?
* **Host:** Mr. Sanchez, from your perspective as a Nicaraguan living in exile, how do these proposed changes impact the lives of ordinary Nicaraguans? Does this proposal represent a continuation of the government’s crackdown on dissent and opposition, or are there other socio-economic factors at play?
**Section 2: International Reaction and the Future of Democracy:**
* **Host:** Dr. Alvarez, the OAS Secretary-General has labeled the proposal “aberrant” and denounced it as a move towards “matrimonial dictatorship.” How is the international community likely to respond to these reforms, and what potential consequences could Nicaragua face?
* **Host:** Mr. Sanchez, what message would you like to send to the international community about the situation in Nicaragua? What are the most pressing needs of Nicaraguan civil society and how can the global community best support them?
**Section 3: The Opposition and Hope for the Future:**
* **Host:** Mr. Sanchez, despite the challenges and dangers, the Nicaraguan opposition continues to resist the Ortega government’s power grab. What strategies are they employing to fight back, and what gives you hope for the future of Nicaragua?
* **Host:** Dr. Alvarez, looking beyond the immediate crisis, what long-term solutions do you foresee for Nicaragua? What role can regional and international actors play in helping to restore democratic values and institutions?
**Closing:**
* **Host:** We thank Dr. Alvarez and Mr. Sanchez for sharing their insights and perspectives on this crucial issue. The proposed constitutional reforms in Nicaragua have ignited a fierce debate with profound implications for the future of the country.
We encourage our viewers to stay informed, engage in constructive dialog, and support the pursuit of justice and democracy for all Nicaraguans.
