Ortega proposes referendum on Nicaragua elections

MANAGUA, July 20: Former Nicaragua president Daniel Ortega on Saturday urged that a recall election be held to replace President Arnoldo Al...

MANAGUA, July 20: Former Nicaragua president Daniel Ortega on Saturday urged that a recall election be held to replace President Arnoldo Aleman’s government, which he accused of causing an increase in poverty and unemployment. The Sandinista leader called for a referendum to determine whether such an election should be held.

Ortega, wearing white to symbolize peace, spoke at ceremonies commemorating the 18th anniversary of the revolution in which his Sandinistas toppled dictator Anastasio Somoza.

He accused the government of failing to respect the Constitution and the country’s laws, and said its policies had caused hunger and unemployment to rise. The government and Sandinista Front have been sniping at each other since Aleman defeated Ortega in October presidential elections. Sandinistas held power from 1979 until they lost the 1990 elections.

“A referendum on the government’s legality is a democratic and civic mechanism that would spare us many confrontations and many acts of violence,” he said. However, Ortega stressed that he did not support violence. “We don’t want war, because we are lovers of peace.”

While aboard INS Vikrant, the Prime Minister had a packed schedule of engagements, officials said.

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