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Leftist FMLN Holds the Lead in El Salvador
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The opposition Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) is the most popular political party in El Salvador, according to a poll by Universidad Tecnológica. 40.2 per cent of likely voters would support the FMLN in next month's legislative election.
The governing conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) is second with 38.1 per cent, followed by the National Conciliation Party (PCN) with 11.6 per cent, the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) with 6.9 per cent, and the United Democratic Centre (CDU) with 2.2 per cent. The election is scheduled for Mar. 12.
In the March 2003 election, the FMLN garnered 34 per cent of all cast ballots and elected 31 lawmakers to the Legislative Assembly. ARENA was second with 32 per cent and 27 legislators.
Last month, FMLN leader Schafik Handal passed away in El Salvador. Handal was expected to lead the leftist political organization into next month's legislative ballot. ARENA's Antonio Saca won the 2004 presidential election with 57.73 per cent, defeating the FMLN's Handal. ARENA candidates have emerged victorious after the last four presidential contests in the Central American country.
On Feb. 18, new FMLN leader Salvador Sánchez Cerén said a trend is developing in Latin America, adding, "The right is aware of the changes that are taking place to defeat neo-liberalism, and this is all happening through participatory democracy."
Polling Data
What party would you vote for in the next legislative election?
(Likely Voters)
Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) | 40.2% |
Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) | 38.1% |
National Conciliation Party (PCN) | 11.6% |
Christian Democratic Party (PDC) | 6.9% |
United Democratic Centre (CDU) | 2.2% |
Source: Universidad Tecnológica
Methodology: Interviews with 2,123 Salvadoran adults, conducted from Feb. 17 to Feb. 19, 2006. Margin of error is 2.1 per cent.