Ortega Takes First Place in Nicaragua
May 19, 2006
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Former president Daniel Ortega has become the top contender in Nicaragua’s election, according to a poll by Borge y Asociados. 28.4 per cent of respondents would vote for the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) candidate in this year’s election.
Former presidency secretary Eduardo Montealegre of the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance - Conservative Party (ALN-PC) is second with 26.5 per cent, followed by José Rizo of the Constitutionalist Liberal Party (PLC) with 17.1 per cent, former Managua mayor Herty Lewites with 14.8 per cent, and Edén Pastora of Christian Alternative (AC) with 1.3 per cent.
In March 2005, the FSLN officially designated Ortega as its presidential nominee. Ortega governed from 1985 to 1990, but was a losing candidate in the 1990, 1996 and 2001 ballots. Lewites headed the government of Nicaragua’s capital from 2001 to 2005, but was expelled from the FSLN and assembled the Herty 2006 Alliance (AH). Montealegre is a former PLC member.
In 2001, the PLC’s Enrique Bolaños won the presidential election with 56.3 per cent of the vote. The president lost the support of the PLC in January 2002, when his government decided to take legal action against Arnoldo Alemán. In 2004, Alemán—who governed the country from 1997 to 2002—was sentenced to 20 years in prison for fraud, money laundering and embezzlement.
Earlier this month, former defence minister José Antonio Alvarado rejected a presidential bid of his own, and became Rizo’s running mate. Ortega has announced that he will settle on a vice-presidential nominee later this month.
The presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 5. In the event no contender receives 40 per cent of all cast ballots, the first place finisher can only avoid a run-off by holding a five-point advantage over the closest rival.
Polling Data
Who would you vote for in the presidential election if the candidates were these?
May 2006
Feb. 2006
Daniel Ortega (FSLN)
28.4%
18.3%
Eduardo Montealegre (ALN-PC)
26.5%
21.7%
José Rizo (PLC)
17.1%
--
Herty Lewites (AH)
14.8%
27.3%
Edén Pastora (AC)
1.3%
--
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