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Nicaraguans See Ortega as Authoritarian Leader
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in Nicaragua hold negative views on Daniel Ortega, according to a poll by M&R. 64.2 per cent of respondents describe Ortega as an authoritarian ruler who wants to implement a dictatorship in the Central American country, while 22.1 per cent regard him as a democratic, law-abiding president.
In addition, 76.5 per cent of respondents say they would not re-elect Ortega in the 2011 ballot.
In November 2006, Ortega—a member of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN)—won the presidential election with 37.99 per cent of all cast ballots. Presidential candidates in Nicaragua are not compelled to garner more than 50 per cent of the vote in order to win the election.
Ortega governed from 1985 to 1990, but was a losing candidate in the 1990, 1996 and 2001 ballots. In January 2007, he was sworn in for a five-year term.
Nicaraguans have recently suffered due to soaring rice prices. Earlier this month, Ortega blamed the United States for promoting the production of corn-based ethanol, a bio-fuel, saying that this contributes to hiking the prices of basic goods. The Nicaraguan president claimed that "the tyranny of global capitalism" is to blame for the phenomenon.
Polling Data
How would you describe Daniel Ortega?
|
As an authoritarian ruler, who acts to implement a dictatorship |
64.2% |
|
As a democratic ruler, who follows the laws of the country |
22.1% |
|
Not sure |
13.7% |
Would you support or oppose Daniel Ortega’s re-election?
|
Yes |
15.7% |
|
No |
76.5% |
|
Not sure |
7.8% |
Source: M&R
Methodology: Interviews with 1,200 Nicaraguan adults, conducted from May 3 to May 9, 2008. Margin of error is 2.5 per cent.