(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in El Salvador think Mauricio Funes of the left-leaning Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) would be a good head of state, according to a poll by Universidad Tecnológica. 57.1 per cent of respondents think the former broadcast journalist is the best presidential candidate.

Conversely, 25 per cent of respondents think Rodrigo Ávila of the governing Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) is the best choice.

ARENA’s Antonio Saca, a media businessman, was elected in March 2004, garnering 57.73 per cent of the vote. ARENA candidates have won the last four presidential elections in the Central American country. Saca is ineligible for a consecutive term in office.

In September 2007, Funes became the FMLN’s presidential nominee. In March 2008, Ávila, a former National Police chief, won ARENA’s three-candidate internal nationwide primary.

The FMLN was once an umbrella armed group of left-wing revolutionaries fighting against the Salvadoran establishment. In the early 1990s, the FMLN was disbanded and became a legal political party.

On Jun. 9, Ávila said he will improve relations with the United States and seek more temporary work permits for Salvadorans in both the U.S. and Canada if elected, adding, "We are allies of the U.S. We believe that the proximity of ARENA with the American government has helped out brothers."

The next legislative election is scheduled for Jan. 18, 2009, with a presidential ballot following on Mar. 15.

Polling Data

Who is the best presidential candidate?

Source: Universidad Tecnológica
Methodology: Interviews with 1,096 Salvadoran adults, conducted from Jun. 6 to Jun. 8, 2008. Margin of error is 2.3 per cent.

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