Nicaraguan Congress Approves Reform Excluding Opposition from Elections

The National Assembly of Nicaragua approved a constitutional reform on Tuesday that prohibits opposition parties from participating in elections and extends the presidential term from six to seven years. The measure, promoted by President Daniel Ortega and Copresident Rosario Murillo, was passed in a first vote and must be ratified by a second legislature in early 2027 to take effect. The reform specifically excludes individuals accused of treason, putschist acts, or those who seek foreign military intervention, which the government claims protects the country from Washington. Opponents and international critics argue these labels are used to target dissidents.

This latest move follows a 2024 reform that increased the presidential term from five to six years and elevated Rosario Murillo to the role of copresident. That previous reform also postponed general elections, originally scheduled for the end of this year, to November 2027. In July, President Ortega stated that there would be no more elections that would allow the opposition to seize power.

The reform has faced widespread international condemnation. The United States has called for the international community to isolate the government, and Panama has withdrawn its ambassador from Managua. Other nations, including Brazil, Chile, and Bolivia, have criticized the move as a democratic setback. The country has been in a deep political crisis since April 2018, when government repression of protests resulted in over 300 deaths and a mass exodus of citizens.

Reporting on the event varies by political framing. Center and center-right sources describe the event as a constitutional reform or a move to exclude the opposition. In contrast, a center-leaning source explicitly frames the action as a move by a dictatorship.